Thales awarded Brazilian Army Sotas contract
Thales is to supply its Sotas communication system to the Brazilian Army under a new contract announced on 12 February. The system will be installed in a number of vehicles of the Brazilian land forces, bringing increased situational awareness at all levels of the command structure.
Vehicles covered in the contract include the new Guarani vehicle, the Cascavel, the M113 and the Urutu refurbishment programmes. The Guarani programme alone has a potential of over 2,000 vehicles.
Brazil purchased the Sotas system in 2011 for testing. According to Thales, the results of this testing showed that when used in various armoured vehicles in a range of operational situations, the system met the Communications and Electronic Warfare Command of the Brazilian Army’s (CCOMGEX’s) stringent requirements in every respect.
The Sotas vehicle communication system is an integrated end-to-end communication and information network, supporting shared situational awareness at all levels of command, from the operations room to infantry in the field. The Sotas product family consists of modular components that can be assembled and scaled to provide the best configuration for vehicle types and missions.
The systems will be delivered in June 2014. A transfer of maintenance to the end-user is part of the contract.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Hanwha debuts with US Army deal worth up to $3.6 billion as it eyes future M109 replacement
The Mobile Tactical Cannon is to replace the US Army’s M777 towed howitzers which could result in the procurement of almost 500 systems at an estimated $3.59 billion.
-
US pours another $23 billion into Arsenal of Freedom to ramp up missile production
The US Department of Defense (DoD) is spending billions of dollars to accelerate missile production to meet demands from the war against Iran and requirements in Ukraine. Manufacture of SM-3 and PAC-3 interceptors is being ramped up, alongside a $22.9 billion commitment to Tomahawk cruise missiles.
-
Rheinmetall advances longer 155mm ordnance with 30% range increase
Rheinmetall has begun initial firing trials of a new 155mm/60-calibre artillery ordnance that could deliver up to 30% greater range than its existing 155mm/52-calibre system, as production of the current gun expands across Germany and the UK.
-
Trans-European iMUGS2 uncrewed systems programme set for three-day exercise in 2028
The next stage of the Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) programme, dubbed iMUGS2, was launched in November 2025. Three major demonstrations are planned before the end of 2028.
-
British Army Land Rover replacement plan inches forward
The UK Ministry of Defence has proposed a selection date of May 2027 for the Land Rover replacement requirement, with deliveries expected through to 2036. Next month’s DVD exhibition will be a key shop window for bidders.