BAE System Awarded $54M to Supply Upgraded Vehicles to Brazilian Army

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Under a new U.S. Foreign Military Sales contract, BAE Systems, a global defense, security, and aerospace company with operations in Sterling Heights, has received a $54 million contract to provide 32 upgraded M109A5+ self-propelled howitzers to the Brazilian Army.

“We look forward to continuing to support Brazil’s objectives of transferring technological know-how, participation, and the development of local industry, as well as the adaptation of solutions to Brazilian requirements,” says Dean Medland, vice president of programs at BAE Systems’ Combat Vehicles business.

The M109A5+ features a position and navigation system, commander’s display unit, digital capable radios, weapons control system, and remotely actuated travel lock.

Medland says features on the 32 upgraded vehicles will be specifically tailored to the Brazilian Army’s requirements, and the company will provide spares, training, and live fire and field service support following delivery.

Work on the contract will take place at BAE Systems’ Anniston, Ala. and York, Penn. facilities. Production is anticipated to begin in October with vehicle deliveries beginning in 2018.

Final deliveries and the beginning of training and support in Brazil are expected to take place by the end of 2018.

“BAE Systems has been working with the Brazilian Army at their Parque 5 facility in Curitiba, Brazil for four years on the Army’s upgrade of its M113B vehicles to the M113A2 Mk1 configuration,” says Marco Caffe, general manager for BAE Systems Brazil. “Through this relationship, the company has delivered over 150 upgraded vehicles and is now working on the second round of upgrading 236 additional M113B vehicles.”