Brazilian Army picks MBDA for medium-range GBAD system project

Each 8×8 mobile launch vehicle of the EMADS medium-range GBAD system is equipped with a launch module designed to accommodate up to eight missile launch cells. (Victor Barreira)

The Brazilian Army has selected MBDA Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions (EMADS) for its medium-range ground-based air aefence (GBAD) missile system project Sis AAAe Me Altu/Me Alc (Sistema de Artilharia Antiaérea de Média Altura/MédioAlcance), according to an army announcement on 9 January.

A contract is yet to be signed; however, Brazil seeks to acquire three batteries of the EMADS system through a government-to-government deal. The guideline for the acquisition of initial EMADS batteries was formally approved by the Army High Staff on 22 December 2025, according to the army bulletin.

EMADS for Brazil will include the MBDA Common Anti-Air Modular Missile-Extended Range (CAMM-ER) vertically launched missile, the ISO 20 ft shelter-based Leonardo Electronics KRONOS LAND C-band mobile multifunctional radar system, and high-mobility trucks from Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV), the Brazilian Army revealed.

The CAMM-ER missile weighs 160 kg and measures 4.2 m in length and 190 mm in diameter, for a maximum range of 40 km, according to MBDA.

A potential acquisition of an electro-optical sensor for each of the six planned mobile launchers is being considered.

The EMADS system for Brazil consists of a single command battery equipped with two radar vehicles, a single battery operations centre, and maintenance and repair trucks; and two firing batteries, each equipped with three missile launch carriers, a radar vehicle, as well as tactical operations, missile resupply, maintenance, and repair trucks.

It was designed to operate in all weather conditions and to provide protection against the spectrum of complex air targets in high-level countermeasure environments, including missiles, rockets, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), MBDA said.