The Philippines and Brazil signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, June 29, to foster deeper collaboration between both countries in the field of defense and security.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Brazilian Embassy Charge d’Affaires ad interim Minister Sergio Taam signed the MOA at the DND Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“This MOU is the first bilateral defense agreement of the Philippines with a Latin American country,” said DND spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong.
Brazil’s growing defense industry is seen as an alternative source for the ongoing modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
In 2020, the DND acquired six units of A-29B Super Tucano close-air support aircraft from Brazilian manufacturer, Embraer Defense and Security.
Lorenzana had said that the DND was looking forward to buy six more of these units from Embraer to further strengthen the aerial prowess of the PAF.
In a consultation meeting in 2016, the Brazilian Air Force had offered air safety and control tower operations training for PAF officers while the Brazilian Army suggested a joint jungle warfare training with the Philippine Army.
The Brazilian Navy, on the other hand, expressed keen interest in exchange of training programs with the Philippine Navy.