Brazilian Congress to review constitution amendment to secure defence budget increase
Embraer has been targeting European customers and has secured a contract with Sweden during last month’s LAAD Defence and Security show. (Photo: Airwolfhound/Wikimedia Commons)
An amendment to the Brazilian Constitution currently under discussion would permanently assign 2% of annual GDP to the defence budget, potentially cementing modernisation programmes for the country’s armed forces.
A member of the Brazilian Senate has proposed amending Article 166 of the Constitution to permanently assign 2% or more of the country’s annual GDP “for activities and services related to national defence, via the Ministry of Defence”. Brazil has the most ambitious defence modernisation programme across Latin America and the Caribbean, and a permanent budget would support future projects.
The proposal, put forward by Senator Carlos Portinho from the far-right Liberal Party, stated that “at least 35% of the expenses” of the Ministry of Defence should be related to the planning and execution of strategic projects related to defence.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![US Africa Command targets logistic solutions]()
US Africa Command targets logistic solutions
AFRICOM is seeking IT systems and supply chain management solutions to enhance interoperability and standardise logistical processes in its area of responsibility.
-
![Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending]()
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending
Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
-
![Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave]()
Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave
Vehicle and technology companies are reporting substantial growth compared to the first half of 2024. Italy’s Fincantieri saw revenues jump 24% for the first half of the year compared to 2024 and Thales up 6.8% for the same period. General Dynamics reported second quarter revenue growth of 8.9% for the second quarter compared to last year and MilDef reported organic order intake growth of 58%.
-
![Singapore plots a way forward with new technology and formation reform]()
Singapore plots a way forward with new technology and formation reform
Singapore spends about 3.5% of GDP on defence and the section’s budget sits on high on the proportion of national spending. The country is investing in uncrewed technology, medium- and long-range fires and new submarines and ships with the hunt also on for new maritime patrol aircraft.
-
![World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026]()
World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026
At this year's IDEF in Istanbul, Shephard spoke to World Defense Show (WDS) CEO Andrew Pearcey about his event's strategic role in Saudi Arabia, its themes and new features for 2026 and how it has grown since its launch in 2022.
