One mechanised infantry unit of Brazilian army has take delivery of new Guarani 6x6 armoured 2903142

Defence & Security News - Brazil

In December 2007 a contract was signed between IVECO L.A. and the Brazilian MOD to co-develop a project which has been called Wheeled Medium Armoured Personnel Carrier– Basic Platform (VBTP-MR). The project will be supported by IVECO Defence Vehicles, situated in Northern Italy, which is dedicated to designing and manufacturing vehicles for military applications.

On November 2009, the Brazilian Defence Minister, Nelson Jobim, announced that President Lula had authorized the start of production for 2044 new vehicles with the new name Guarani. In December 2009, Brazil signed a EUR 2.5 billion deal with Italy’s Iveco that aims to renew its wheeled armored personnel carrier fleet.

The first 13 vehicles werte delivered to the 33rd Motorized Infantry Battalion of the 15th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Brazilian army.

The VBTP-MR is based on a 6×6 version of Iveco's Superav armoured personnel carrier.

The Guarani was presented for the first time at the Defence Exhibition LAAD in April 2011. In December 2012, The Italian Defence Company IVECO has delivered the first batch of VBTP-MR Guarani 6x6 armoured vehicle to the Brazilian army.

The Guarani is a wheeled amphibious armoured vehicle which can carry a tottal of 11 soldiers. The vehicle can be fitted with a full range of weapons stations. One of the variant order by the Brazilian Army will be equipped with an UT30 turet, armed with a 30mm gun and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. This remote controlled weapon station are being delivered by Elbit's Brazilian subsidiary.