Rank #21 · Americas
Brazil spent $23.9B on its military in 2025 (1.1% of GDP) — by far the largest budget in South America. Spending grew 13% in real terms, driven by the Gripen E/F integration, the PROSUB nuclear-attack submarine program, and personnel cost increases under the Lula administration's 2024-2025 fiscal framework.
Brazilian defence spending is dominated by personnel and pension costs — historically over 70% of the topline — leaving capital outlays compressed. The 2025 increase reflects salary adjustments under the broader civil service framework, expanded outlays for the F-X2 Gripen E/F program (delivered through Embraer Gavião Peixoto), and accelerated PROSUB submarine spending. Major continuing programs include the four Scorpène-derived Riachuelo-class conventional submarines (with the lead boat in service since 2022), the Álvaro Alberto SN-BR nuclear-attack submarine, the Tamandaré-class frigates (built by ThyssenKrupp/Embraer/Atech consortium at Itajaí), the SISFRON Amazon border surveillance system, and the Astros 2020 MRL. R&D remains modest relative to GDP but technologically capable.
The Brazilian Armed Forces field about 360,000 active personnel — Army ~215,000, Navy ~70,000, and Air Force ~75,000 — making it the largest military in South America. The Army is regionally deployed across seven Military Commands, with the Amazon Military Command anchoring the SISFRON border surveillance system. The Navy operates two Riachuelo-class submarines (with two more under construction and the SN-BR nuclear-attack boat at advanced build), the carrier Atlântico (LHD, ex-HMS Ocean), the Tamandaré-class frigates (lead ship delivered 2025), and a substantial riverine force. The Air Force flies F-5EM/FM (retiring), A-1M, and is transitioning to the Gripen E/F (36 firm + options) with first squadron at Anápolis declared operational. Brazil maintains a limited expeditionary capacity centred on the Marines.
Brazil hosts South America's largest defence industrial base, anchored by Embraer Defense & Security (KC-390 Millennium, A-29 Super Tucano, EMB-145 AEW), Avibras (Astros MRL family), Taurus Armas (small arms, exporting to the US LE market), Imbel (small arms and ammunition), and Helibras (H225M for the armed forces). The KC-390 has secured exports to Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Czechia, Austria, and South Korea, and was selected by NATO Support and Procurement Agency consortia in 2024-2025. The Gripen E/F program drives significant Saab-Embraer industrial cooperation at São Bernardo do Campo and Gavião Peixoto. PROSUB at the Itaguaí naval shipyard provides France-Brazil submarine industrial cooperation. Brazil pursues defence industry growth as part of broader strategic autonomy under the BRICS framework.
Brazil has no interstate military conflicts and no border disputes with active military pressure. The Amazon basin is the dominant security concern — illegal mining (garimpo), drug trafficking, and trans-border insurgent and criminal operations from Colombia and Venezuela tie down significant Army and Air Force resources. Operação Catrimani (against illegal mining in Yanomami territory) and continuing Operação Ágata border surge operations characterise the 2024-2025 posture. Brazil watches the Venezuela-Guyana Essequibo dispute closely — the Brazilian Army reinforced its Roraima frontier in 2024 — but has avoided direct mediator escalation. Brazil leads the UN MINUSTAH-style Multinational Security Support Mission residual support to Haiti and contributes UN observers globally.
On 27 April 2026, SIPRI confirmed Brazil's 2025 spend at $23.9B (1.1% GDP), up 13% in real terms — driven mainly by naval technology investment and personnel costs. The Tamandaré-class frigate F200 Tamandaré was delivered in 2025. PROSUB construction of the Álvaro Alberto SN-BR nuclear-attack submarine progressed through pressure-hull section integration in 2025. The first Brazilian Air Force Gripen E squadron (1st GAVCa, Anápolis) reached initial operational capability in 2025. Embraer secured additional KC-390 Millennium export contracts including the Slovak Republic and the Swedish Air Force in 2025. Operação Catrimani against illegal Amazon mining continued at scale through 2025-2026.
About 360,000 active personnel — Army 215,000, Navy 70,000, Air Force 75,000 — the largest military in South America. State Military Police (Polícia Militar) totalling roughly 395,000 are constitutionally available as paramilitary auxiliaries to the federal armed forces.
No. Brazil is a party to the NPT and the Treaty of Tlatelolco. However, Brazil is one of only six countries pursuing a domestically-built nuclear-attack submarine — the Álvaro Alberto SN-BR under the PROSUB program — using domestically-enriched fuel under safeguards.
The Saab Gripen E/F (Brazilian designation F-39E/F-39F), delivered through a Saab-Embraer co-production arrangement at Gavião Peixoto. 36 firm and additional options. First squadron declared IOC at Anápolis in 2025. The KC-390 Millennium is Embraer's flagship military airlifter and a major export success.
About 1.1% of GDP in 2025 according to SIPRI — well below NATO benchmarks but the largest absolute budget in South America at $23.9B. Spending is heavily skewed toward personnel and pensions, with capital projects compressed.