Brazil Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 15th
MPR SCORE: 1131
MPR Index: 0.5120 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.4625 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +1.795 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Brazil ranks 15th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR), in a near tie with Israel, and holds the position as Latin America’s preeminent military power. With vast territory, natural resource reserves, and long land and maritime borders, Brazil’s defense strategy emphasizes territorial integrity, sovereignty over the Amazon, and regional stability. While not expeditionary in doctrine, Brazil has one of the largest militaries in the Western Hemisphere and plays a major role in UN peacekeeping and South Atlantic security.
The Brazilian Armed Forces (Forças Armadas do Brasil) focus on maintaining broad coverage across diverse terrain, building industrial self-reliance, and gradually modernizing key assets in air, naval, and cyber warfare.
Strengths: Manpower, Industrial Base, and Regional Reach
1. Large Standing Force with Territorial Presence
Brazil maintains over 360,000 active personnel and 1.3 million reserves
Military is deployed across all states, with special focus on:
Amazon region security (SIPAM & border monitoring)
Drug trafficking interdiction and riverine operations
The Army includes:
Mechanized brigades
Jungle warfare specialists
Rapid deployment forces (Força de Ação Rápida Estratégica)
2. Naval Power and Maritime Patrol Capability
The Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil) is the largest in Latin America, operating:
1 aircraft carrier (NAe Atlântico – amphibious platform)
Riachuelo-class submarines (Scorpène-based)
Frigates, corvettes, and logistics ships
Brazil also maintains:
A nuclear submarine program (SSN Álvaro Alberto projected by 2030)
Blue Amazon (Amazônia Azul) initiative for offshore resource protection
3. Modernizing Air Force with Indigenous Programs
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is transitioning to modern multirole capabilities through:
Gripen E/F fighters (joint program with Sweden)
Indigenous platforms like the Embraer KC-390 (transport/tanker)
Upgraded AMX A-1 attack aircraft and radar systems
Also developing electronic warfare and space-based ISR assets
4. Defense Industry and Peacekeeping Leadership
Brazil has one of the largest defense industries in the Global South, led by:
Embraer, Avibras, and Iveco Brasil
Exports include rockets, radars, armored vehicles, and trainer aircraft
Participated in major UN peacekeeping missions:
Haiti (MINUSTAH), Lebanon (UNIFIL), and Angola
Why Brazil Is Ranked 15th
Brazil scores high for scale, regional autonomy, and industrial capacity, though limited by strategic reach and modernization speed.
1. No Strategic Weapons or Long-Range Strike Capability
Brazil does not possess:
Ballistic or cruise missiles
Nuclear weapons (though it has nuclear propulsion ambitions)
Strike reach remains tactical and regionally confined
2. Aging Equipment and Delayed Modernization
Many platforms remain legacy systems:
Tanks, frigates, and older aircraft
Budgetary and bureaucratic delays slow:
Procurement
Training system upgrades
Joint C4ISR integration
3. Limited Expeditionary Power or Rapid Deployment Outside the Region
While able to deploy regionally or via UN channels, Brazil lacks:
Long-range airlift scale
Sealift capacity
Allied force projection integration
Conclusion
Brazil maintains a large, strategically autonomous, and regionally dominant military force, with increasing investment in self-reliant defense industry and air-sea modernization. It plays a stabilizing role in South America and contributes meaningfully to international peacekeeping.
In the MPR framework—where regional dominance, industrial capacity, and scalable conventional force are emphasized—Brazil ranks 15th, just above Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Though not a global strike power, it is a formidable regional force with long-term modernization potential.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 334,500 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 1,340,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 394,000 (IISS 2023)
Brazil’s military manpower is the largest in Latin America, backed by a strong reserve force capable of being mobilized quickly for regional or global operations.
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 469 (IISS 2023)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 1,707+ (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Artillery Pieces (Self-Propelled and Towed): 400+ (IISS 2023)
Brazil’s ground forces are designed for jungle warfare, reflecting the country's focus on defending its borders and vast natural resources. The nation’s fleet of Leopard 1A5 tanks and AFVs ensures effective force projection in complex terrain.
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 208 (IISS 2023)
Attack Helicopters: 12 (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Brazil’s air force is equipped with the Gripen E multirole fighter, allowing the country to maintain air superiority and regional dominance in South America. Ongoing investments in military technology continue to enhance Brazil's military firepower index.
Aircraft Breakdown:
Gripen E/F (F-39): 12 (initial batch of 36; modern multirole fighters)
AMX A-1M: 43 (light attack and ground support; upgraded)
F-5EM/FM Tiger II: 30 (legacy fighters in gradual phase-out)
KC-390 Millennium: 7 (strategic/tactical transport and aerial refueling)
C-130 Hercules & C-105 Amazonas: 30+
H-36 Caracal & H-60 Black Hawk: 40+ (rotary transport and utility)
AH-2 Sabre (Mi-35M): 12 (attack helicopters; nearing retirement)
UAVs: Growing ISR fleet including FT-100 Horus, Hermes 450, and Carcará drones
T-27 Tucano / A-29 Super Tucano: 100+ (light attack and training)
Naval Forces
Total Naval Assets: 110+ (IISS 2023)
Submarines: 6 (SIPRI 2023)
Frigates and Destroyers: 8 (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Brazil’s naval power is focused on securing its extensive coastline and maintaining control over critical maritime routes. The Riachuelo-class submarines and modernized frigates provide significant capabilities for sea denial and force projection.
Missile Capabilities
Brazil’s focus on surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and tactical missile defense systems contributes to its military readiness in defending its airspace and national infrastructure. Brazil is also expanding its expertise in ballistic missile defense and satellite reconnaissance.
Military Technology and Modernization
Brazil is advancing its military technology, particularly in naval platforms like the Riachuelo-class submarines and in the Gripen E fighter program. Its domestic defense industry supports the development of military equipment, allowing Brazil to produce advanced military systems and maintain regional dominance.
Alliances and Strategic Partnerships
Brazil maintains strong military ties within the UN and peacekeeping missions across the globe. Its partnership with Sweden on the Gripen fighter program and its close cooperation with South American neighbors strengthen its military power projection.
Military History & Combat Experience
Brazil’s military history is defined by internal stability enforcement, peacekeeping, and limited foreign war involvement. Its forces are deeply experienced in jungle warfare, civil support, and regional diplomacy, though relatively untested in high-intensity modern conflict.
War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870): Brazil led a coalition with Argentina and Uruguay against Paraguay, deploying over 200,000 troops. This remains the largest and bloodiest war in South American history, with Brazil's army gaining significant experience in logistics, riverine warfare, and campaign endurance.
World War II (1942–1945): Brazil was the only South American nation to send combat troops to Europe. The Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) fought alongside U.S. forces in Italy, participating in battles such as Monte Castello and Fornovo. The FAB also conducted anti-submarine patrols in the Atlantic.
Cold War Period and Internal Operations: The military held power from 1964 to 1985, during which it focused on internal counterinsurgency, including operations against leftist guerrillas and urban militancy. These experiences shaped modern COIN doctrine and internal deployment capability.
UN Peacekeeping Missions (1990s–2010s): Brazil became a major contributor to:
MINUSTAH (Haiti): Led the mission from 2004–2017, gaining experience in urban stability, civil-military ops, and reconstruction
Missions in Angola, Lebanon, and Congo, often as logistics leaders and engineering units
Amazon Security and Border Control (2000s–Present): Brazil deploys forces across the Amazon to:
Combat illegal logging, narcotrafficking, and cross-border crime
Operate in jungle and riverine conditions with specialized units like CIGS (Jungle Warfare Center)
Domestic Support and Crisis Response: The military frequently assists in:
Election security
Natural disaster response
Law enforcement augmentation in major cities (e.g., Rio de Janeiro)
Brazil’s combat experience is rooted in internal defense, peacekeeping, and asymmetric operations. While lacking recent conventional warfare exposure, its logistical scale, terrain adaptation, and institutional cohesion remain regionally unmatched.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~216.4 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~86 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 8,515,770 km²
Land Boundaries: 16,145 km
Bordering Countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, French Guiana (France)
Coastline: 7,491 km
Climate: Mostly tropical; temperate in the south
Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling lowlands; some plains, hills, and mountains
Natural Resources: Bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber
Proven Oil Reserves: ~13.4 billion barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~370 billion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$22 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.1%
GDP (PPP): ~$4.02 trillion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$18,700
External Debt: ~$790 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Relatively stable with moderate investment in modernization and naval programs
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for males (12 months); voluntary extension or alternative service available
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, Amazon security, regional maritime control, peacekeeping readiness
Military Industry Base: Strong domestic sector; key entities include Embraer, Avibras, Taurus, and Amazul
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Expanding; cyber command under Ministry of Defense with focus on infrastructure protection
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into 8 Military Regions and multiple Army, Air, and Naval Commands
Missile Inventory Highlights: Astros II missile system, MTC-300 cruise missile (in development), MANPADS, anti-ship missiles
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Available; classified as 1st and 2nd class reserves, ~30–60 day call-up for trained former conscripts
Reservist Force Size: ~1.6 million potential reservists
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Operated by AEB (Brazilian Space Agency) and Air Force; includes Amazonia-1 and SGDC satellites
Military Satellite Inventory: Limited; dual-use satellites for comms and imaging; expanding ISR capability
Intelligence Infrastructure: ABIN (intelligence agency), Army Intelligence Center (CIE), and Aerospace Operations Command
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Regional coordination with Argentina, U.S., and other South American countries
Airports (Total): ~4,100 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: Brasília AB, Anápolis AB, Campo Grande, Canoas, Santa Maria
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~500 vessels
Major Ports: Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Itajaí, Paranaguá, Suape
Naval Infrastructure: Expanding; includes nuclear submarine program (ProSub), Itaguaí shipyard, and multiple naval bases
Naval Replenishment Capability: Regional capacity; underway replenishment ships support Atlantic patrols
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~30,000 km
Roadways: ~1.72 million km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~3.3 million barrels per day
Energy Imports: Net exporter of crude oil; imports refined petroleum and natural gas seasonally
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Estimated ~30–40 million barrels
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Advanced in aerospace (Embraer KC-390, Super Tucano), artillery, small arms, and missiles
Military Installations (Domestic): Dozens of airbases, naval stations, jungle warfare schools, and Amazon border outposts
Military Installations (Overseas): None officially; limited support presence in peacekeeping zones
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None permanent; training exchanges and joint exercises with the U.S. and regional partners
Defense Alliances: UNASUR (defunct), limited defense cooperation agreements with U.S., France, Argentina, and India
Strategic Airlift Capability: Operates C-130s, Embraer KC-390, and contracted airlift during deployments
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate; state-owned and private firms can increase production under MoD direction
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Growing focus on indigenous missile development, nuclear propulsion, and satellite technology
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Petrobras (energy), Embraer (aerospace), Vale (logistics/mining), CSN (steel), Eletrobras (utilities)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Brasília
Founding Date: September 7, 1822 (independence from Portugal)
System of Government: Federal presidential constitutional republic
