New funding programme aims to strengthen Brazilian defence industry

The integration of Brazil's MANSUP and MANSUP-ER anti-ship missiles with the Brazilian Navy's Astros II Mk 6 FN rocket launch systems (shown above) and frigates is part of efforts to reduce dependence on foreign technologies. (Victor Barreira)

The Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has launched a new funding effort designed to promote innovation across the local defence industrial base and reduce dependence on foreign technologies.

A total of BRL300 million (USD58.2 million) from the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development is to be gradually made available by the Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (Finep) of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

This funding is part of a BRL3.3 billion package approved on 6 February as part of the ‘More Innovation Brazil' initiative.

The public call led by Finep seeks to achieve 50% autonomy in the production of critical defence technologies to strengthen national sovereignty.

Funding will be applied to projects between technology readiness level (TRL) 3 and 8 during the project execution period, according to Finep.

Projects to be supported include unmanned systems and robotics; space systems; hypersonic systems; cyber security and cyber defence; electronic warfare; biotechnology; and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defence; missiles and rockets; communications; radar systems; artificial intelligence; energy and storage; propulsion; energetic materials; directed energy; advanced materials; nuclear technologies; and quantum technologies.

Economic sustainability, such as exports, dual-use, and substitution of imports, will also be considered.

Every project must be submitted by a company in a single or consortium format arrangement that is accredited as a Strategic Defense Company (EED) by the Secretariat of Defence Products (SEPROD) of the Ministry of Defence.