Nine Guarani 6×6 armored vehicles are preparing for shipment from Brazil to the Philippines as part of an ongoing defense cooperation initiative between the two nations. Currently staged at the Port of Santos in São Paulo, these vehicles are scheduled to depart on August 10, 2025, with arrival in Manila expected before the end of the month. The development was confirmed by Tecnologia & Defesa on August 5, marking the second phase of an export agreement signed in 2021.
This delivery is part of a larger contract involving 28 Guarani armored personnel carriers (APCs), of which five have already been transferred to the Philippine Army. The remaining 14 are under production at Iveco Defence Vehicles’ facility in Sete Lagoas, Brazil. Although initial deliveries faced delays due to export approval bottlenecks—particularly from Germany’s BAFA—the overall program remains intact and may even grow. Philippine defense officials have signaled interest in expanding the total fleet to 114 vehicles in multiple configurations.
The Guarani, formally known as the VBTP-MR, is a versatile 6×6 wheeled APC developed by the Brazilian Army in collaboration with Iveco. It has been in service with Brazilian forces since 2013 and was previously exported to Lebanon. Designed for operational flexibility, it can perform in urban, rural, and jungle environments, offering robust mobility, armor protection, and integrated weapons systems.
For the Philippines, these vehicles are part of the Horizon 2 phase under the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP). The procurement is being managed in partnership with Israel’s Elbit Systems, which is outfitting the Guarani units with 12.7mm RCWS (remote-controlled weapon stations), battlefield management systems, and secure tactical communications.
Reports also suggest that some vehicles may feature upgraded armaments, including remote-controlled turrets equipped with 30mm automatic cannons, enhancing their combat effectiveness for both internal security and external threat deterrence.
Valued at approximately $46 million, the Guarani deal reflects a broader strategic goal: enhancing the Philippines’ ground mobility and modernizing its defense posture. Simultaneously, it offers Brazil an opening to expand its defense exports in Asia and position its industry as a reliable partner in the global armored vehicle market.
The upcoming August shipment is a milestone in this evolving partnership, illustrating how both countries are navigating the complex landscape of international defense procurement while advancing their respective military and industrial goals.
