Brazil’s Military Strength: Tanks, Jets and Submarines (2026)
Brazil’s military inventory represents the most comprehensive and modern defence infrastructure in Latin America. The country maintains the continent’s largest navy, a Gripen E transition programme and the globally-exported Super Tucano light-attack aircraft.
At a Glance
- Active personnel: ≈ 370.000
- Main battle tanks: ≈ 400
- Military aircraft (total): ≈ 700
- Key fighter: Gripen E (36 on order)
- GFP ranking: ≈ 14
- NATO membership: MNNA partner (non-member)
Note: The inventory figures below are approximate values drawn from open sources such as Global Firepower, the IISS Military Balance and SIPRI.
About the Brazil Armed Forces
Brazil’s Armed Forces, with around 370,000 active personnel, form Latin America’s most numerous military. Army, Air Force and Navy operate across a geography stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Amazon basin.
Brazil is expanding its domestic defence industry capacity. Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano has been exported to more than 15 countries; Avibras’s ASTROS II multiple-launch rocket system is in active operational service.
Land Forces Inventory
| System type | Est. quantity |
|---|---|
| Main battle tanks (Leopard 1A5, M60A3) | ≈ 400 |
| Armoured fighting vehicles (EE-11 Urutu, M113) | ≈ 1.500 |
| Howitzers (M109, L118) | ≈ 400 |
| MLRS (ASTROS II) | ≈ 60 |
Air Force Inventory
| Platform | Est. quantity |
|---|---|
| Total military aircraft | ≈ 700 |
| Fighters (Gripen E/F; ex-F-5EM) | ≈ 80 |
| Light attack (A-29 Super Tucano) | ≈ 100 |
| Helicopters (AS 332, H-36 Caracal, AS 365) | ≈ 220 |
Missile and Air-Defence Systems
| System | Type / Note |
|---|---|
| CAMM-ER (MBDA partnership) | Air defence |
| ASTROS II rockets | Indigenous short-medium range |
| A-Darter (South Africa joint) | WVR AAM |
Naval Power
| Class / Type | Est. quantity |
|---|---|
| Total naval platforms | ≈ 100 |
| Carrier/LPH (NAe Atlântico) | 1 |
| Submarines (Riachuelo/Scorpene) | 4 |
| Frigates (Niterói, Greenhalgh-class) | ≈ 6 |
The Turkey Angle: Turkish Defence Industry
Turkey and Brazil are two middle powers that indirectly compete in defence exports. Embraer’s Super Tucano is evaluated in some countries as an alternative to UAV platforms, while Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 is an entirely different category; the two countries’ strengths do not overlap.
ASELSAN’s electro-optical and communications systems and Roketsan missiles have export potential for Latin America. Brazil has expressed interest in TB2-like UAV capacity on several international occasions; the under-explored defence-cooperation potential between the two countries remains a notable opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brazil’s main fighter jet? Brazil has ordered 36 Gripen E/F aircraft to replace its ageing F-5EMs; the A-29 Super Tucano continues its light-attack role.
How strong is the Brazilian navy? Latin America’s largest navy — with the NAe Atlântico LPH, four Riachuelo-class (Scorpene-type) submarines and several frigates.
Is Brazil a NATO member? No, but it holds Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status and is an important US defence partner.
Bottom Line
Brazil represents Latin America’s foremost military capability — the Gripen E transition, Scorpene-type submarines and the globally-exported Super Tucano continue to raise both its technological and operational capacity.
