The Brazilian Army has taken a decisive step in modernizing its anti-tank capabilities by authorizing the signing of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the acquisition of FGM-148F Javelin missiles through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Decision Dispatch C Ex No. 1,367, dated September 23, 2025, and published by the Army Logistics Command (COLOG), approved the signing of Amendment No. 1 to FMS Case BR-B-UAL, which includes revisions to several supply lines and the addition of 15 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Unit (LWCLU) Sensitive Category launchers, as part of the Total Package Approach (TPA). The document also authorizes an advance payment of $332,551 USD upon acceptance of the amendment, keeping the total estimated contract value at $31,052,774 USD.
According to the dispatch, the head of the Brazilian Army Commission in Washington (CEBW) will sign the LOA on behalf of the Army. The text highlights that the operation complies with the bilateral defense cooperation agreement between Brazil and the United States in effect since 2000 and has received approval from the Army’s Legal Advisory Office (CONJUR-EB) as well as the required budget authorization.
The incorporation of the Javelins is part of the Strategic Armored Forces Program within the Brazilian Army’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, aimed at strengthening the force’s anti-tank capabilities. Order C Ex No. 1,178, dated February 26, 2025, had already directed the LOA to be signed by the head of the CEBW and established an initial payment of $329,273 USD, with subsequent disbursements according to the agreed schedule.
The FGM-148 Javelin is a portable anti-tank system consisting of a missile container tube, a reusable Command Launch Unit (CLU), and a Battery Cooling Unit (BCU). Its original range of 2,000 meters has been extended to 4 kilometers, and it can be used against armored and light vehicles, buildings, and fortified positions. The system provides two modes of attack: direct attack, used against fortified positions or low-flying rotary-wing aircraft, and top attack, designed specifically to strike tanks and other armored vehicles from above.
Currently, the Brazilian Army has limited capabilities in this area, relying mainly on MAX 1.2 AC missiles (formerly MSS-1.2 AC), produced by the Brazilian company SIATT and operated by the 1st Mechanized Anti-Tank Company (1ª Cia AC Mec). During the 2025 International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), the Army and SIATT announced a contract for serial production of these national missiles.
The purchase of the Javelins represents a significant step forward in diversifying and strengthening Brazil’s anti-tank arsenal, integrating state-of-the-art systems through international defense cooperation with the United States.
*Images for illustrative purposes only
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