As part of the air security operation established to ensure the protection of Brazilian airspace during the 2025 BRICS Summit, held in the city of Rio de Janeiro from July 4 to 7, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) successfully concluded its Aerospace Defense operation. As part of this coordinated effort, multiple combat, surveillance, and air support assets were deployed, with the participation of F-5M fighter jets, A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, and Embraer E-99 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) planes standing out.
The mission, overseen in real time by the Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE) from its Situation Room in Brasília, maintained full situational awareness and ensured an immediate response capability to any potential threat. During the summit, the FAB intercepted five aircraft that entered the temporarily established no-fly zones around Rio de Janeiro without authorization. In all cases, current protocols were applied for identifying, warning, and, if necessary, escorting suspicious aircraft out of the restricted area.
A-29 Super Tucanos were the platforms responsible for carrying out the interceptions, escorting the involved aircraft after verifying their flight plans. One of the most notable incidents occurred when an unauthorized helicopter immediately withdrew upon detecting the presence of an A-29, landing in an isolated area whose location was reported to security forces.
The success of the operation was based on extensive pre-planning and close coordination among the various entities that make up the Brazilian Aerospace Defense System (SISDABRA), under the direction of COMAE. In accordance with Decree No. 12,542, issued on July 1, 2025, which regulates the use of Air Force assets in high-sensitivity contexts, key structures were established such as the Local Operations Cell (COL) at Rio de Janeiro Approach Control (APP-RJ), and the Master Command and Control Room at the Air Navigation Management Center (CGNA), from which all flight activity related to the event was managed in real time.
Among the highlighted assets, the E-99 AEW&C aircraft—based on the Embraer ERJ-145 platform and equipped with Swedish Erieye radar technology—played a central role in long-range air surveillance and in coordinating interceptions. Acting as an advanced command node, the E-99 enabled the tactical control of the F-5M fighters, which remained armed and on alert for a potential immediate response. Meanwhile, KC-390 Millennium aircraft carried out in-flight refueling missions, ensuring continuous 24-hour operational availability of the F-5Ms during the coverage period.
Three air exclusion zones were defined for the BRICS Summit: white, yellow, and red—each with different levels of restriction. Authorized flights were required to submit an approved flight plan, keep their transponder (an electronic device that transmits an aircraft’s identity and altitude) active, and maintain constant communication with air traffic control. Failure to meet these requirements could result in an aircraft being classified as suspicious or even hostile, authorizing immediate intervention by air defense assets, in accordance with current regulations.
Executing this operation in a densely populated city like Rio de Janeiro—host to major international events—posed a considerable challenge for the Brazilian Air Force, which once again demonstrated its capacity to operate in complex and politically sensitive environments. The operational experience gained from this mission is a valuable precedent for future deployments, particularly in the context of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30), to be held in November in the city of Belém, which will require similarly scaled and complex defense measures.
*Images for illustrative purposes only. Credits: Brazilian Air Force.
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