Brazilian defence ministry set for BRL9 billion budget boost in 2026

Brazil's PROSUB submarine development programme includes the construction of five submarines, a shipyard, and a naval base. Pictured here is the Tonelero (S42), Brazil's third Riachuelo-class submarine. (Victor Barreira)

The Brazilian Armed Forces are set to receive increased funding in the 2026 annual budget to finance existing and new materiel modernisation efforts.

The Ministry of Defence will receive a total of BRL142 billion (USD27.1 billion) from BRL6.54 trillion in overall government spending.

This represents an increase of BRL9 billion over the BRL133.5 billion allocated in 2025.

A large portion of the defence budget is earmarked for personnel, including salaries for active and reservist troops, pensions and benefits, as well as infrastructure, education, and training.

Personnel spending, which has been traditionally between 74% and 80% of the annual defence budget, has increased in recent years after salary adjustments, while investments in equipment have been hampered by budget restrictions.

The remaining amount gives little room for the acquisition of new equipment, beyond the funding of ambitious and costly programmes that are being gradually implemented.

Modernisation plans

In 2026, the Brazilian Army seeks to acquire initial batteries of the MBDA Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions (EMADS) medium-range ground-based air defence (GBAD) missile system under its Sis AAAe Me Altu/Me Alc (Sistema de Artilharia Antiaérea de Média Altura/MédioAlcance) project, Airbus Helicopters H145M multirole helicopters, as well as additional CIO Centauro II BR 8×8 armoured combat vehicles.

The army is also expected to advance the acquisition of 6×6 truck-mounted self-propelled 155 mm/52 cal howitzers, BAE Systems M119A2 Light Gun 105 mm lightweight towed howitzers, attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and medium main battle tanks.