Brazil orders five Bofors 40 Mk4 naval guns

BAE Systems has won a contract to produce and supply five Bofors 40 Mk4 naval guns to the Brazilian Navy, it announced on 19 May. The guns will be installed on the navy's 500T Macae-class patrol vessels.

Production begins immediately, and deliveries will start in 2016 and continue through 2018. Part of the manufacturing of subsystems and parts and the final assembly and tests will take place in Brazil, through BAE Systems' local partners. New partner Ares Aeroespacial e Defensa will handle manufacturing, assembly and installation and after-sales activities.

Lena Gillström, managing director of weapon systems, Sweden, BAE Systems, said: 'The versatility of our new 40mm naval gun and ammunition system is attractive to customers around the world. This award illustrates our strong position as a leading naval gun provider in the Americas.'

Llyr Jones, vice president for Latin America and Canada, BAE Systems, said: 'This local production for the naval guns illustrates our commitment to establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with Brazilian industry. We're applying similar principles with our other Brazilian programmes.'

The 40 Mk4 naval gun is the latest version of the Bofors 40mm gun used by several navies and coast guards worldwide. According to BAE Systems, the 40 Mk4 offers a high rate of fire, high survivability and tactical freedom at all conflict levels, and the capability to switch between optimised ammunition types.