Industry
Brazil Shows Interest in the Piorun MANPADS and Borsuk IFV
Photo. senior staff chor. Mariusz Kraśnicki / 15th Mechanized Brigade
The Brazilian head of the Army Projects Office (Escritório de Projetos do Exército) recently visited Poland’s Mesko defence plant and met with representatives of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ). According to the portal infodefensa.com, Brazil is particularly interested in the Piorun man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) and the Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).
The official purpose of the visit was to “explore opportunities for cooperation between the Brazilian Army and the Polish defense industry.”
The primary topic of discussion during the visit appeared to be the potential sale of Piorun MANPADS to Brazil. This system is currently regarded as one of the best in the world. Brazil currently relies on Russian Igla-S systems, which are technically less advanced and present political challenges due to Russia’s exclusion from the global community following its actions in Ukraine. Additionally, U.S. legislation like the 2017 CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) imposes economic sanctions on countries purchasing Russian arms.
Piorun appears to be an ideal replacement for the Igla-S. The Brazilian outlet highlights its range, missile speed, modern seeker head resistant to enemy countermeasures, and high resistance to jamming.
Infodefesa.com also identifies the Borsuk IFV as an intriguing option for Brazil. Its advanced production technologies, capability to operate in challenging terrain, and ability to cross water obstacles make it suitable for Brazil’s geography. Despite its mobility and amphibious capabilities, the Borsuk maintains high levels of ballistic and mine protection. Additionally, its strong armament potential — featuring 30mm or 40mm cannons and anti-tank guided missiles — has drawn praise.
Both products have garnered justified interest from Brazil, a regional power. However, questions remain regarding delivery timelines. While Mesko can produce about 500 Piorun missiles annually, serial production of the Borsuk has yet to begin due to the lack of an execution contract. Once initiated, production will focus on fulfilling Poland’s domestic needs for 1,000 IFVs and 400 specialized vehicles based on the Borsuk chassis. Meeting domestic demand alone poses significant challenges, and exporting units could further complicate the process.
Securing an export client as significant and prestigious as Brazil would be a major achievement for Poland’s defence industry. It could also justify the expansion of production lines, potentially integrating Brazil’s order into the Polish Armed Forces’ production schedule.
Brazil does not currently operate infantry fighting vehicles, making it challenging to estimate how many Borsuks might be ordered. However, Brazil does field approximately 1,500 armored personnel carriers (APCs), including 600 modern Guarani wheeled APCs and 660 older tracked M113 APCs. A potential order could involve several hundred Borsuks.
A broader agreement with Brazil could involve mutual exchanges. Brazil’s defense industry offers attractive products such as the modern C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, Guarani APCs, and specialized aircraft based on Embraer platforms.