During DSEI UK 2025, and within the framework of growing defense cooperation between Brazil and the United Kingdom, the Brazilian Army (EB) advanced negotiations for the acquisition and local production of the 105mm AR Light Gun towed howitzer, currently manufactured by BAE Systems, through the signing of a new joint declaration.
The first operational step was taken following a meeting held in Brasília on February 26–27, which brought together the Directorate of Manufacturing, the Army General Staff, the Logistics Command, and representatives from BAE Systems. In that meeting, the technical conditions of the AR Light Gun were analyzed in detail, including its adaptability to national platforms and the requirements for obtaining a production license; industrial needs for transferring and absorbing technology in national arsenals were also assessed.
Technically, the 105mm AR Light Gun stands out for its combination of mobility, reliability, and operational flexibility: it is a compact gun with an operational range of up to 17 km, designed to be towed at high speed by light vehicles across rough terrain and with airlift capability by helicopter. These characteristics make it attractive for expeditionary forces and rapid maneuver units, justifying the Brazilian Army’s interest in integrating the system into both regular units and rapid response formations.
The licensed production proposal aims to leverage the industrial potential of the Rio de Janeiro War Arsenal (AGR) and the São Paulo War Arsenal (AGSP), which would serve as the main manufacturing centers with technical support from BAE Systems. Beyond the production aspect, the parties also discussed the possibility of formalizing a bilateral agreement between the governments of Brazil and the United Kingdom to facilitate cooperation in training, joint exercises, and logistics—factors that would enhance interoperability and joint employment of the systems.
As a result, the next steps in the negotiation were defined: industrial feasibility studies, schedules for technology transfer, and negotiations on license terms that safeguard both intellectual property and Brazil’s strategic interests. The project falls within the Brazilian Army’s policy of modernizing its capabilities while promoting technological sovereignty and the development of the Defense Industrial Base (BID), with the goal of reducing external dependence and strengthening the national defense industry.
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