Brazil seeks 6% defence spending boost for 2026

The F-39E/F fighter programme continues to be a priority for the Brazilian Air Force. (Saab)

The Brazilian federal government plans to increase defence spending by 6.23% in 2026, according to budget documents.

The Brazilian Armed Forces has long expressed the need to increase spending to finance its ambitious modernisation projects.

The budget law proposal for 2026, worth BRL2.4 trillion (USD447.4 billion), was submitted to the National Congress on 29 August and includes BRL141.9 billion (USD26.4 billion) for defence.

The proposed defence budget includes BRL337.5 million for helicopters, space systems, and cyber defence; BRL1.9 billion for the air force for the F-39E/F Gripen fighter jets and KC-390 Millennium airlifters; BRL1.49 billion for the navy for the SisGAAz (Sistema de Gerenciamento da Amazônia Azul) maritime surveillance and protection system, development of anti-ship missiles, and construction of submarines; and BRL1.6 billion for the army for air-defence systems, cyber-defence capabilities, field artillery systems, armoured vehicles, and the SISFRON (Sistema Integrado de Monitoreo de Fronteras) integrated border protection system, the documents said.

A significant part of the BRL141.9 billion figure will be funded by the government's BRL1.7 trillion ‘New Growth Acceleration Program' (Novo PAC) investment plan launched in 2023 to stimulate economic growth through targeted investments in several areas, including BRL52.9 billion for defence.

This funding is intended to help equip the Brazilian Armed Forces with cutting-edge technologies and further develop the domestic defence industry. BRL28.9 billion has been allocated from 2023 to 2026 and BRL24 billion from 2026 to 2030.