Brazilian Marine Corps adds armoured mobile anti-tank capability

The MAX 1.2 AC, jointly developed by the Brazilian Army Technological Center and Edge Groupʼs SIATT – Engenharia, Indústria e Comércio, has a maximum range of 3 km. (Victor Barreira)

The Marine Fleet Force of the Brazilian Navyʼs Marine Corps is to receive the SMACE (Sistema de Mísseis Anticarro Expedicionário) expeditionary anti-tank missile system from the United Arab Emiratesʼ Edge Group for an undisclosed amount, according to a contract placed on 19 November by Marine Materiel Command, Janes has learnt.

The main role of the SMACE system will be to engage main battle tanks (MBTs) – one of the biggest threats to Marine Corps troops in amphibious operations – Commander of Marine Materiel Command Rear Admiral Cláudio Lopes de Araujo Leite told Janes on 25 November.

The SMACE system seeks to add capabilities to the missileʼs use that it does not yet possess, such as mobility, protection, situational awareness, and network operation, Rear Adm Cláudio Leite said.

The SMACE consists of two GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility 4×4 protected vehicles, each mounting tactical communications equipment, one QX-2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made by Adasi equipped with an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payload and associated radio frequency communications antenna, as well as the MAX 1.2 AC medium-range anti-tank guided missile system.

The SMACEʼs enhanced mobility and the use of UAVs for situational awareness allow the system to locate and engage armoured vehicles with precision, Rear Adm Cláudio Leite said.

The expectation is that the marine corps will receive the two vehicles intended for the SMACE integration and evaluation in the second half of 2026, Rear Adm Cláudio Leite said.