Brazil’s Guarani 6x6 Armored Vehicles Head to the Philippines in Ground Mobility Expansion.

Nine Guarani 6x6 armored personnel carriers (VBTP) are currently awaiting shipment at the Port of Santos, in the state of São Paulo. Intended for the Philippine Army, the vehicles are scheduled to depart on 10 August, bound for the Port of Manila, with arrival expected before the end of the month. The information was published on 5 August 2025 by the Brazilian outlet Tecnologia & Defesa, confirming the activation of the second phase of the export contract signed between the two countries. This batch represents the second installment of a broader contract signed in 2021, which initially called for the delivery of 28 vehicles. Five units have already been handed over to the Philippine authorities, while another 14 are currently in production by Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) at its facility in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais.
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The Guarani 6x6, officially designated VBTP-MR, is a multi-role armored vehicle jointly developed by the Brazilian Army and the defense division of Iveco (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The delivery schedule was affected by delays in the supply of components, largely attributed to the approval process by the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). These delays temporarily slowed the production line but did not compromise the contract overall, which may still be expanded, as the Philippine side has expressed interest in acquiring a total of 114 vehicles in various configurations.

The Guarani 6x6, officially designated VBTP-MR, is a multi-role armored vehicle jointly developed by the Brazilian Army and the defense division of Iveco. Designed for operations in diverse environments, including urban areas, rural terrain, and forests, the Guarani combines tactical mobility, ballistic protection, and onboard firepower. In service in Brazil since 2013, it was previously exported to Lebanon, which received 16 units in 2015 for use by internal security forces under the Ministry of Interior. The vehicle is also being offered to other international customers.

In the Philippine context, the Guarani is part of the Wheeled APC Acquisition under Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP). Procurement has been facilitated through the Israeli company Elbit Systems, which is also integrating several subsystems: remotely operated RCWS armed with 12.7mm machine guns, a battlefield management system, and tactical communication equipment.

Some sources also point to a possible enhanced configuration for the Philippine batch, including a remote-controlled turret fitted with a 30mm automatic cannon. This version would increase the vehicle’s engagement capabilities, suitable for both urban security tasks and operations in open terrain against a range of threats. The acquisition aligns with the Philippine strategy to develop a more mobile and better-equipped ground force capable of operating across the country and responding to various internal and external security challenges.

The overall contract, signed in 2020 and valued at an estimated $46 million, provides for a phased delivery of the 28 initial units. The upcoming shipment of nine vehicles in August marks another step in the implementation of the agreement, ahead of the final batch of 14 units. At the same time, Brazil sees this deal as an opportunity to establish a stronger position in the Asian defense market, using it as diplomatic and industrial leverage in a competitive sector where regulatory dynamics are as important as technical performance.

The imminent delivery of these nine Guarani vehicles reflects not only the ongoing cooperation between Brasília and Manila but also the practical and procedural realities of international defense exports. Despite previous delays caused by German export controls, the program remains on track with potential for expansion. The integration of these vehicles into the Philippine Army marks a notable development in its modernization process, while contributing to Brazil’s efforts to advance its defense industry on the global stage.