Brazil refuses to sell Guarani armored personnel carriers to Ukraine
30 June, 2023 Iveco Guarani 6x6 armored personnel carrier. Photo credits: Andrea Barretto/Dialogo Brazil has refused to supply Ukraine with Guarani 6x6 armored medical evacuation vehicles.
Allies were to purchase these armored vehicles for the needs of Ukraine. The armored personnel carriers, in particular, were supposed to be used for evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield. However, the Department of Strategic Affairs, Defense and Armaments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil opposed the request of the Ukrainian government, which was sent in April this year.
The request regarded 450 units of Guarani armored medical evacuation vehicles. The document addressed to the Ministry of Defense of Brazil states that the equipment will be painted in red and yellow colors. It will be used to evacuate the civilian population and transport the wounded from the war zone.
Ukrainian request to the government of Brazil.
Photo credits: Infodefense
The request also guaranteed that vehicles would not be involved in hostilities with the Russian occupiers. The vehicles for Ukraine were to be painted in red and yellow colors. The Infodefensa notes that the official response by the Brazilian state authorities took almost two months.
Finally, in the last week of June, Iveco Defense Vehicles, the manufacturer of the Guarani APC, received an official rejection notice. The company had previously sent a request to the Brazilian government authorities for permission to start negotiations on the supply of the armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
Guarani armored personnel carrier. Photo credits: IDV
The publication also notes that the indecision of the Brazilian side has shaken the confidence of the European countries regarding Brazil's position on the Russian-Ukrainian war.
It also led to the loss of a large order for the local defense industry.
Guarani armored personnel carrier
Guarani armored personnel carrier. Photo credits: IDV
The Guarani is a family of 20-tonne 6x6 armored amphibious vehicles jointly developed by Iveco Defense Vehicles and the Brazilian Army under a 2009 contract. The armored vehicles can be equipped with various weapons.
Iveco Guarani 6x6 armored personnel carrier.
Photo credits: Andrea Barretto/Dialogo
The design of the equipment is modular, which allows you to choose the configuration required by the customer without unnecessary engineering work.
Being 6.9 meters long, 2.7 meters wide, and 2.3 meters high, it can be transported by C-130 Hercules and KC-390 aircraft.