Currently the Guarani is the most advanced armored vehicle, produced in the South America
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-05-19

In 1999 the Brazilian Army initiated a study to replace the EE-9 Cascavel armored reconnaissance vehicle, as well as the EE-11 Urutu armored personnel carrier. Both of these armored vehicles were developed by ENGESA in the early 1970s. By the time these armored vehicles were in service for nearly 25 years and were becoming out-dated. In 2007 a contract was signed to develop a new Brazilian armored vehicle with 6x6 configuration. Initially it was known as the Urutu III. The project was also known as the VBTP-MR. In Portuguese this acronym stands for a Wheeled Medium Armored Personnel Carrier - Basic Platform. The new armored vehicle was jointly developed by Italian IVECO and Brazilian MoD. At that point IVECO already designed and produced a number of military vehicles. A mock-up was revealed in 2009. Development was completed by 2011. In 2012 Brazil ordered a first batch of 86 Guarani armored personnel carriers. These were delivered between 2013 and 2014. Full scale production of the Guarani commenced in 2013. A second batch of 24 vehicles was ordered for delivery in 2014. By 2019 a total of 400 Guarani armored vehicles were delivered. The armored vehicle replaces ageing EE-9 Cascavel armored cars and EE-11 Urutu armored personnel carriers. Total requirement of the Brazilian military is for over 2 000 new armored vehicles. The Guarani is manufactured in Brazil with local content of about 60%. Argentina also expressed interest in obtaining 14 of these APCs. Currently the Guarani is the most advanced armored vehicle, being produced in South America.