KNDS France (formerly Nexter Systems), with its CAESAr, an artillery-equipped truck, was not among the four competitors selected by the Brazilian Army (Exército Brasileiro) under the VBCOAP program (Viatura Blindada de Combate Obus Autopropulsada).
The Brazilian Army Logistics Command (COLOG) ‘s selection process saw a competition between SH15 6×6 from the Chinese group NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation), the Zuzana 2 8×8 from the Slovakian Konštrukta Defence, and the ATMOS 2000 from the Israeli Elbit Systems. Surprisingly, CAESAr was notably absent.
COLOG, the Brazilian Army Logistics Command, played a pivotal role in the selection process. The presence of the SH15 6×6 might have seemed surprising, considering the specifications. Similarly, the presence of the ATMOS 2000 might have seemed surprising, given the very fresh relations between Brazil and Israel after remarks made by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva regarding Gaza. However, COLOG had assured that this would have “no negative impact on Elbit Systems’ participation” in the VCOAP program, even though technology transfers and industrial compensations were expected to be part of long-term cooperation.
Indeed, this diplomatic dispute had no impact on the process, as on April 29, the Brazilian Army announced that it would choose the ATMOS 2000, stating that it had met “all the requirements” it had set and emphasizing that Elbit Systems’ Howitzer is “considered one of the best systems in the world in its category.”
The selection process had significant implications for the involved companies. After Colombia and Denmark, this is the third time in less than two years that Elbit Systems has outperformed KNDS France in self-propelled howitzers, even though the French company had all the advantages to succeed. The Danish Army preferred to acquire ATMOS 2000 to replace the CAESAr 8×8 it had sold to Ukraine. As for the Colombian Army, it backed out at the last moment from acquiring the French solution in favor of the one submitted by the Israeli industrial, marking a significant shift in the industry landscape.
In any case, Elbit Systems will have to contractually commit to delivering two ATMOS 2000 to the Brazilian Army within the next twelve months for technical and operational evaluations. Then, COLOG will notify it of the “main contract” for supplying the remaining 34 units. These must be delivered “in annual batches” until 2034. The total value of this contract is estimated at 180 million euros.
