Make in India Gets a Boost as Brazil Eyes Akash, Garuda Systems

Brazil has shown interest in procuring India’s Akash air defence system and Garuda artillery guns, among other defence platforms, a senior Ministry of External Affairs official said on Monday. The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Brazil for the BRICS Summit next week.

P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said during a press conference, “There will be discussions on strengthening defence cooperation with Brazil. We’re exploring opportunities for joint research, technology sharing, and training exchanges. While talks are ongoing regarding potential defence platforms that could be sold to Brazil, significant progress has yet to be made.”

He added, “Broadly, there are several areas that appear to interest the Brazilian side. These include secure battlefield communication systems and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Given that Brazil operates Scorpene submarines, they’re keen on partnering with us for their maintenance. They have also expressed interest in the Akash air defence system, coastal surveillance systems, Garuda artillery guns, and other such platforms.”

Brazil has also shown interest in establishing joint ventures with India in the defence manufacturing sector. “There is significant potential for collaboration, especially considering Brazil’s strengths in Embraer and the broader aircraft industry,” Kumaran noted.

Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash missile system is a mobile, medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) designed to intercept a wide spectrum of aerial threats, including fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles. With a range of 25 to 45 km and the ability to engage targets at altitudes up to 20 km, Akash maintains supersonic speeds of Mach 1.8 to 2.5 using an integrated ramjet-rocket propulsion system.

The Akash system proved its operational effectiveness during Operation Sindoor, where it successfully thwarted multiple drone and missile attacks from Pakistan. Integrated into India’s layered air defence network, it safeguarded key strategic assets and demonstrated a high kill probability, even against simultaneous incoming threats.

The Garuda artillery system, another indigenous platform, is drawing attention for its exceptional battlefield mobility and precision firepower. It is particularly well-suited for coastal defence and rapid deployment operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Brazil from July 5 to 8 to attend the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where he will also hold bilateral meetings as part of a state visit. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi's eight-day tour will also include visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia.

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