AVIBRAS to Partner Brazilian AF to Develop Brazil's First Cruise Missile

Brazil’s Avibras has partnered with the country's Air Force to develop a family of long-range cruise missiles which will be the first such effort for the South American country.

The two parties signed a corresponding memorandum of understanding on November 23. The MICLA-BR project, under the Aeronautical Military Strategic Plan (PEMAER), involves development of a long-range cruise missile powered by a reaction engine for airborne platforms, the company said in a release.

With the knowledge to be acquired during the development of the MICLA, it will be possible to design a family of similar missiles, using cutting-edge technology, for application in various scenarios of armed conflict by the Brazilian Armed Forces.

This project has the participation of the FAB, mainly in the sharing of expertise. The goal is to collaborate with the development of a reliable, efficient product and advanced technology to meet the Air Force's operational needs.

Avibras President João Brasil highlighted the longstanding partnership with the Air Force. "It is the consecration of a joint work that started in 2004. Now we are, in fact, going to work on a project that will make a difference for the country and this fills us with pride", he declared

According to Lieutenant-Brigadier Bermudez, the FAB's initial contribution to the project will be in the area of ​​conceptual development. "It is a remarkable moment for the Air Force, since this document summarizes everything that was thought and discussed and, now, we are taking the first steps to put it into practice," he said.

The entry of Brazil into the business of missile manufacturing could shake up the global market for air-to-ground cruise missiles. The country is known to offer high quality aerospace products at an affordable price. A case to point is Embraer which has become  the most successful aviation company not only from Brazil but also from the developing world.