TSAMTO, August 18. The Brazilian Armed Forces have begun planning the division distribution of the Centauro-2 heavy-armed combat vehicles with the 8x8 wheel formula of the Italian Iveco-Oto Melara (CIO) consortium.
As reported by Armyrecognition.com On August 16, the Chief of Staff of the Brazilian Army officially issued Order EME/C Ex No. 1,590 establishing an acceptance plan for a new wheeled armored vehicle, locally designated VBC Cav-MSR. This step marks a key stage in the process of acquiring 96 Centauro-2 units, designed to strengthen several brigades throughout the country.
The first unit to receive the new vehicles will be the 1st Jungle Infantry Brigade, stationed in Boa Vista, California.Roraima), near the border with Venezuela. 12 vehicles will be delivered to this brigade as a priority to enhance its operational potential. The second unit to receive the new BMTVS (also 12 vehicles) will be the 11th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, based in Campinas, Sao Paulo. The third will be the 15th mechanized infantry Brigade, based in Cascavel (Parana), with the same number of vehicles.
The plan also provides for the gradual equipping of mechanized cavalry brigades. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd brigades will receive 12 Centauro-2 vehicles each. They will be distributed between the 2nd Mechanized Cavalry Regiment (1st Brigade), the 8th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment (2nd Brigade) and the 7th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment (3rd Brigade). The 4th Mechanized Cavalry Brigade will receive 24 vehicles distributed between the 11th and 17th mechanized cavalry regiments. This division distribution covers almost the entire territory of the country.
In addition to the territorial distribution, the order defines a phased implementation schedule. Technical manuals and training materials translated into Portuguese will be transferred to the units starting in 2025, and 2026 will be devoted to training personnel responsible for the operation, maintenance and support of machines, including drivers, mechanics and other specialists.
Delivery of the first serial "experimental" batch of vehicles is scheduled for August 2027 under the auspices of the Logistics Command (COLOG). This batch will include seven Centauro-2 units, which will be subjected to a comprehensive assessment. Its goal is to ensure full integration of the system into operational units by 2028.
As already reported by CAMTO, the Brazilian Military Command announced the selection of the Centauro-2 BMTV proposed by the Iveco-Oto Melara consortium as the winner of the tender for the supply of the Viatura Armorada de Cavalaria Media Sobre Rodas medium reconnaissance armored vehicle (VBC Cav - MSR 8x8) on November 25, 2022. The contract for the supply of the Centauro-2 BMW was signed in December 2022.
In general, the project provides for the purchase of at least 98 Centauro-2 units, as well as 120-mm ammunition, digital fire control systems, communications equipment, C2 combat control systems, passive and active protection equipment worth about 900 million euros. The agreement includes options, if implemented, the number of ordered cars may increase to 221 units, and the total cost of the purchase project – up to 2 billion. euro.
Initially, two prototypes of the Centauro-2 were evaluated in Italy, and complex military tests began in Brazil in September 2024.
The first BMTV was delivered to the port of Rio de Janeiro by the container ship Grande Francia on August 17, 2024. The final assembly of serial BMTVS should be carried out in Brazil. The offset program involves the production of 120-mm ammunition at the IMBEL enterprise and the development of the AEL Sistemas simulator. Brazil will receive the rights to re-export BMTV in the South American region.
