Exercise brings together military personnel to protect the Amazon, in Boa Vista — Photo: Caíque Rodrigues/g1 RR
The forecast is included in next year's budget proposal, sent this week to the National Congress. The project contemplates around R$148 billion for the department in 2027.
🔎According to data from the Transparency Portal, from the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU), there are approximately: 365 thousand active military personnel in the country, 268 thousand pensioners, 91 thousand retired military personnel, 23 thousand retirees and 81 thousand reservists.
Budget by Ministries in 2027
Government proposal sent to the National Congress by bodies (R$ trillion)
Source: Ministry of Planning
➡️Of the almost R$148 billion planned for Defense in 2027, according to the budget proposal, R$108 billion is intended for personnel expenses and social charges, including active, inactive military personnel and pensioners.
➡️Others R$ 21.7 billion are allocated to current expenses and R$ 12.7 billion are reserved for investments, around 8.6%. There are also expected expenses with interest and debt amortization.
The resources for the Ministry of Defense in 2027, which include expenditure on personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force, exceed the allocations, together, of the following ministries:
Justice and Public Security: R$27.5 billion;
Transport: R$19.4 billion;
Science and Technology: R$15.9 billion;
Cities: R$15.7 billion;
Agriculture: R$12.4 billion;
Communications: R$8.6 billion;
Mines and Energy: R$8.1 billion;
Agrarian Development: R$7.5 billion;
Foreign Affairs: R$5.6 billion;
Environment: R$4.9 billion;
Culture: R$4 billion;
Tourism: R$2.3 billion;
Sports: R$1.7 billion;
Indigenous Peoples: R$1.7 billion;
Human Rights: R$554 million;
Women: R$312 million;
Racial Equality: R$187 million.
Lula's concerns
In recent months, President Lula has continually highlighted the importance of the defense area, given the seriousness of the geo-economic scenario, with the war in the Middle East and with the classification of Brazilian factions, such as the Red Command (CV) and the First Capital Command (PCC), as terrorists by the United States.
In June, he stated that he would increase defense spending because "there are full of crazy people in the world." He added that he does not want war, but that he would not like "to be caught by surprise". In July, Lula said that the armed forces need to be "prepared", and cited the interest of military powers, such as the US, Russia and China, in rare earths and critical minerals.
In August, Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro stated that Brazil would not be able to militarily confront the United States in a possible invasion scenario and joked about the possibility by saying that he would "open the gate".
"The other day a journalist asked me: 'If the United States wants to invade Brazil, what do you do as Minister of Defense? Open the gate, because we don't have the equipment to face them nor do we have the money to repair the gate. I prefer to open the gate", said Múcio, during the event, drawing laughter from those present.
Duties of the Ministry of Defense
On its website, the Ministry of Defense informs that it is responsible for coordinating the integrated defense effort "aimed at contributing to the guarantee of sovereignty, for the benefit of Brazilian society, encompassing the preparation and joint and singular use of the Armed Forces, made up of the Navy, the Army and the Air Force, and the coordination between them and other State bodies".
The ministry recalls that Brazil has not been involved in a war for almost 150 years, with the exception of the Second World War, when it entered the conflict after suffering direct aggression from Axis troops, thus consolidating "its vocation as a country providing peace on the international stage".
"This peaceful orientation, however, does not allow the nation to neglect the possibility of hostile scenarios erupting. Owner of vast natural, industrial and technological resources, the country understands that, in addition to cooperation with different nations, it must be prepared to deter potential threats from any part of the globe", adds the Ministry of Defense.
New PAC
➡️In the investment budget, the Ministry of Defense listed the main projects included in the new Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), with a value of R$ 10.2 billion next year, concentrated in 16 projects in 2027.
Navy
According to the government, PAC investments aim to guarantee maritime control of strategic areas of access to Brazil, in addition to allowing the maintenance and development of the capacity to build naval assets.
The big highlight is the Navy's nuclear program, responsible for the development of the Nucleoelectric Energy Generation Laboratory (Labgene), in Iperó (SP), a land-based prototype of the nuclear propulsion plant for the future Brazilian nuclear submarine, with R$1.4 billion in 2027.
The continuation of activities related to the Brazilian nuclear submarine is also planned for next year, with around R$400 million budgeted.
Until May this year, R$5.8 billion had been spent out of a total budget of R$22.6 billion. Completion is scheduled for 2037.
Project for the first Brazilian nuclear submarine — Photo: Reproduction website Ministry of Defense
The Tamandaré Class Frigates program will have R$900 million in 2027 for the construction of four "modern frigates" by the year 2030, equipped with "advanced weapons systems and capable of protecting the extensive Brazilian maritime area, called the Blue Amazon".
Launch Ceremony of the Frigate Tamandaré in Itajaí-SC — Photo: Ministry of Defense
"Regarding conventional submarines, it is important to highlight that the submarines Riachuelo, Humaitá and Tonelero have already been incorporated into the operational sector of the Brazilian Navy, while the submarine Almirante Karam is in the commissioning and preparation phase for sea trials", added the government, in the budget project.
The Navy also highlighted the construction of 500-ton patrol ships, with an allocation of R$115 million in 2027 for "defending economic activities in Brazilian waters, supporting naval inspection activities, inspecting vessels, safeguarding human life and combating transnational illicit activities and crimes against the environment".
The program foresees the delivery of 12 vessels.
Army
In the new PAC, the highlight of the Brazilian Army is the production of armored vehicles in the country (Guarani), with R$1 billion expected for 2027.
The objective is to reactivate production in the country "bringing an increase to the Defense Industrial Base and progressively replacing old vehicles with more modern equipment". The forecast is to deliver 116 units in 2027.
The acquisition of the Strategic Missile and Rocket Defense System (Astros) is also part of the investment portfolio, with R$671 million estimated for 2027.
The program consists of long-range missiles and precision-guided rockets, ammunition, components, machines, tooling and maintenance parts.
Gif shows the largest long-range Brazilian missile fired in the Amazon - Astros system — Photo: Reproduction
The Integrated Border Monitoring System (Sisfron), in turn, will be able to count on R$467 million in 2027, according to the proposal, to "strengthen the State's presence and capacity for action across the country's entire border strip".
Graphic representation of Sisfron — Photo: Ministry of Defense
R$520 million is also planned in 2027 for the implementation of the Army Aviation System.
The resources will be allocated to obtaining aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, simulators and sensing and warning equipment, "allowing the Army the trinomial of monitoring, mobility and military presence".
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force's main investment project is the FX-2, with R$2.81 billion allocated in 2027 for the purchase of Gripen fighters from Sweden.
Weapons, flight simulators, technology transfer, logistical support services, acquisition and development services for systems and weapons integration are also planned. 12 aircraft were delivered, and another four are expected to be delivered in 2027.
The government also highlighted the KC-390 project, with R$572 million expected for 2027, intended for the acquisition of freighter-type aircraft to carry out logistical air transport missions in national or global territory (troops and cargo), in-flight refueling, aeromedical evacuation and firefighting in flight.
Another aircraft is scheduled to be delivered next year.
FAB's KC-390 transports firefighters from Minas Gerais for a humanitarian mission in Venezuela. — Photo: Sgt Müller Marin/FAB
In the 2027 budget, R$338 million is also foreseen for modernizing the Aerospace Defense capabilities of the Brazilian Air Force, through the Brazilian Aerospace Defense System (SISDA).
The objective is to modernize A-29 aircraft — light attack and advanced training turboprops.
Operation welcomed and indigenous lands
The government also allocated, in the budget proposal, R$262 million for Operation Acolhida, to respond to the "large migratory flow" and guarantee humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan immigrants in vulnerable situations who arrive in Brazil.
"To date, around 10,000 Armed Forces personnel have already been employed in the operation, which has been recognized as successful by the United Nations. On average, 500 people are served per day, and in Border Planning tasks, the Armed Forces carry out document issuance, vaccination and immigration control, among other services", says the government, in the budget proposal.
Migrants gather for assistance at Operação Acolhida, in Pacaraima, on the border with Venezuela — Photo: Caíque Rodrigues/g1 RR
R$204 million is also allocated for use in emergency actions on indigenous lands.
The action, according to the government, aims at the operational use of the armed forces in emergency measures to support other bodies of the federal public administration, with a focus on protecting the life, health and safety of these communities.
"The resources are intended for collecting monitoring data, intelligence activities, logistical support, acquisition and maintenance of equipment and inputs, contracting services and improving mobilization and operational employment capabilities", says the government.
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