Avibras

Avibrás Indústria Aeroespacial S/A
Company typePrivate company
IndustryDefense
Founded1961; 63 years ago (1961)
HeadquartersSão José dos Campos, Brazil
Area served
Latin American
Key people
João Brasil Carvalho Leite (President and CEO)
Products
Number of employees
800 (March 2024), 420 layoff[1][2]
Websitewww.avibras.com.br/site/en

Avibrás Indústria Aeroespacial, based in Jacareí, São José dos Campos, Brazil, is a diversified Brazilian company which designs, develops and manufactures defense products and services.[3] Its range of products encompasses artillery and aircraft defense systems, rockets and missiles such as air-to-ground and surface-to-surface weapon systems, including artillery rocket systems; 70 mm air-to-ground systems and fiber optic multi-purpose guided missiles. It makes armoured vehicles as well. It also manufactures civilian transportation through a division called Tectran, telecommunications equipment, electronic industrial equipment (Powertronics), automotive painting and explosives.

In April 2024, DefendTex, an Australian company, has proposed acquiring the company, which has a debt of more than R$600 million or around €80 million, of which R$14.5 million is owed to workers.[4][5][6][7] In June 2024, the Australian Government decided not to support DafendTex financially in the acquisition of Avibras.[8] Norinco is also interested in Avibrás, with 49% stake, if DefendTex could not raise US$70 millions from Australian Government Credit to its acquisition and transfer advanced missile manufacturing capability from Brazil to Australia.[9][10] Avibrás is supposed to be valued at US$200 million, laid off 420 employee, a third of its workforce in 2022, those who remained were not paid for more than a year. Its debt is estimated at R$570 million (US$104.5 million) in 2022 and had ballooned to R$700 million (US$128.480 million) in 2024.[11][12][13] Federal Deputy Guilherme Boulos presented on July 18, 2024, in the Chamber of Deputies a proposal Federal Government to expropriate the industry with R$2 billion, to own brazilian government continue development of ongoing and new projects.[14]

Main products

In production

  • Astros II: A multiple rocket launcher and important product of Avibras, used in six countries. The Astros II was decisive in stopping the Iranian offensive during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988)[15] and was used by Saudi Arabia against Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm (1991).[16][17]
  • AV VBL 4x4 : Is a Brazilian armoured personnel carrier, used by Malaysian Army.
  • Guará 4x4: Is another Brazilian armoured personnel carrier.
  • AV-SS 12/36, a light multiple rocket launcher. It can fire rockets with weight up to 6 kg, and range up to 12 km.
  • Astros Hawk, the ASTROS HAWK is designed to support light forces through the use of high mobility launcher-vehicles and a variety of ammunition. The ammunition is compatible with the ASTROS II System. The system can place a high volume of fire in a very short period of time, at ranges up to 12 km.
  • Skyfire, based on its extensive experience with the SBAT 70 (Air-to-Ground Brazilian System) AVIBRAS developed and started to produce and export to its clients the most advanced 70 mm rocket system, the SKYFIRE, a high performance air-to-ground rocket system for employment in any type of combat aircraft or helicopter.
  • EDT-FILA, state-of-the-art anti-aircraft defense fire control equipment, to detect aircraft and missiles at low altitude, directing the fire of anti-aircraft guns and missiles.
  • VANT Falcão a single-engine, MALE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle low-wing composite material and structure.

Under development

  • MANSUP: The developing jointly with the Mectron to the Navy of Brazil. Is an anti-ship missile with a range of about 75 km. developed from repowering project missiles MBDA MM40 Exocet Block III from Brazilian Navy with technology transferred by the MBDA.
  • AV-TM 300: a GPS and/or laser-guided cruise missile, its range is up to 300 km.
  • AV-SS-150: a GPS guided missile, its range is up to 150 km.
  • SS-AV-40: a GPS guided missile, its range is up to 40 km. There is no support from the Brazilian government for this project.
  • FOG-MPM in testing stage, the new generation FOG-MPM (Fiber Optics Guided Multi Purpose Missile), uses fiber optics to permit the operator, without a line of sight to the enemy, to guide the missile to the acquisition and destruction of the target. The use of fiber optics for guidance also makes the missile immune to enemy ECM (Electronic Counter Measures). With the present range of up to 60 kilometers, and a possibility to be further extended to over 100 kilometers, the FOG-MPM may also to be employed as an additional ammunition for the ASTROS II System. Today its employment is against tanks, helicopters and fortifications.
  • A-Darter a fifth generation short range infrared homing ("heat seeking") air-to-air missile

See also

References

  1. ^ "Avibras demite cerca de 400 trabalhadores em Jacareí, diz sindicato". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  2. ^ "Recuperação judicial da Avibras é homologada e luta por salário continua". February 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "Company Overview of Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial S.A." Bloomberg.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Pligher, Pedro (April 2, 2024). "Australia's DefendTex in talks to buy Brazil's missile-maker Avibras". Defense News. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial S/A – Comunicado da Avibrás – 19/02/24". www.avibras.com.br. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "Em recuperação judicial, Avibras anuncia investimento australiano | Radar". VEJA (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "AVIBRÁS – Plano Recuperação Judicial homologado pela Justiça SP". DefesaNet (in Brazilian Portuguese). February 21, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  8. ^ "Government won't give DefendTex US$ 70 million to help buy Brazilian missile manufacturer". Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  9. ^ "Norinco". July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  10. ^ "China is interested in buying Brazilian missile manufacturer". Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "Brazilian missile manufacturer negotiation". Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  12. ^ "Both Look To Win 'Troubled' Avibras Deal". June 20, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  13. ^ "Chinese company Norinco eyes significant investment in Brazil's missile maker Avibras". MSN. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  14. ^ "Boulos". July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  15. ^ SCHMIDT, Rachel (1991). Global Arms Exports to Iraq, 1960–1990. RAND Corporation. N-3248-USDP. Santa Monica, CA, USA. [1]
  16. ^ BBC (2001). "Cruise missiles 'Made in Brazil'." BBC News, Business, September 4, 2001. [2]
  17. ^ Army Technology (Sd). Astros II Artillery Saturation Rocket System, Brazil. Army Technology. News, views and contacts from the global Army industry. Projects – Industry Projects. [3]