The Brazilian Army General Staff has formally approved Ordinance EME/C Ex No. 1,590, dated August 16, 2025, which sets out the plan for receiving the new 8×8 wheeled cavalry combat vehicles, known as VBC Cav-MSR. This decision marks a milestone in the acquisition of 96 Centauro II units, which will be distributed to brigades across different regions of the country.
The first deliveries will be made to the 1st Jungle Infantry Brigade, based in Boa Vista, Roraima, on the border with Venezuela, where twelve vehicles will strengthen operational capacity in a highly strategic zone. The 11th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, located in Campinas (São Paulo), and the 15th Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Cascavel (Paraná), will also each receive twelve vehicles.
In the next phase, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mechanized Cavalry Brigades will be equipped with twelve Centauro II vehicles each, assigned respectively to the 2nd, 8th, and 7th Mechanized Cavalry Regiments. The 4th Mechanized Cavalry Brigade will be reinforced with 24 units, shared between the 11th and 17th Regiments. This deployment strategy ensures coverage from the Amazon region in the north to Brazil’s southern borders.
The implementation will follow a gradual schedule. Technical manuals and training materials translated into Portuguese will be distributed in 2025, while 2026 will be dedicated to training personnel responsible for operating and maintaining the vehicles. The first batch—called the “doctrinal experimentation lot”—is set to arrive in August 2027, consisting of seven vehicles under the responsibility of the Logistics Command. Full integration into operational units is planned for 2028, with training progressing from platoon to squadron level.
The Centauro II, developed by the Italian Iveco–Oto Melara Consortium, is equipped with a 120 mm/45 cannon (with an optional 105 mm/52) capable of firing NATO-standard munitions, providing firepower on par with modern main battle tanks. It features an automatic loading system, secondary armaments (7.62 mm coaxial MG, 12.7 mm remote weapon station, or 40 mm grenade launcher), and advanced electronic fire-control systems. Powered by a 720 hp Iveco engine, it can reach 105 km/h with a range of 800 km, offering high mobility across diverse terrain.
Crew protection includes armor compliant with AEP 55 standards, anti-mine seating, separate ammunition compartments, anti-explosion panels, and an NBC protection system. The vehicle is also equipped with modern communications, battle management software, and advanced optronics to improve situational awareness and targeting.
The arrival of the Centauro II represents a major modernization of Brazil’s cavalry forces, combining mobility, firepower, and survivability. By prioritizing deployment in the Amazon, followed by mechanized brigades in the south and southeast, the Army seeks to strengthen both regional defense and national projection capabilities.
The structured plan foresees the progressive delivery of all 96 vehicles, beginning with Roraima, and culminating in full operational service by 2028. This phased approach ensures a smooth transition, doctrinal adaptation, and the consolidation of a new-generation armored capability for the Brazilian Army.
