Tanks of confusion

The controversy surrounding the acquisition of armored combat vehicles (battle tanks), like everything concerning the military, is surrounded by incompetence, bad faith, and an excessive dose of immaturity.

The Armed Forces don't like to be accountable for what they do. They think they can buy everything from condensed milk to tanks without explaining why. The Armed Forces are part of the public service and, as a matter of conduct, transparency is mandatory, except in matters classified as secret.

The case of the tanks illustrates this. On the eve of the change of government, the army announced the signing of a contract for the acquisition of 98 Centauro II tanks, worth 5 billion. This was enough to start a FEBEAPA (Brazilian Army's anti-argument campaign). Given that a large part of the current government is composed of reserve military officers, the debate arose from the suspicion that something was amiss.

Well, I don't know if the bidding process is 100% correct, but I didn't see (in fact, nobody saw) anything that seemed irregular.

The Armed Forces exist to defend the country from any threat. And since warfare became industrial, it needs machines. In modern warfare, tanks are fundamental. They are high-tech pieces of equipment – ​​and cutting-edge technology is expensive – to overcome known threats. The supplier is Iveco, which sells its war machines to several countries. It already supplies another, smaller armored vehicle to Brazil, the Guarani, which has a contract for the supply of 1500 units. The Guarani is used for transporting soldiers. The Centauro II, on the other hand, is used to destroy large, heavily armored tanks. Brazil still has a long way to go to achieve a significant number of modern armored vehicles. According to military research websites, we are estimated to have the 30th largest fleet of armored vehicles, not all of which are fully operational. Some can't even take a drive down the Esplanade of Ministries without emitting black smoke.

Investing in weapons may seem controversial, but it's necessary. The Brazilian nuclear submarine has been under development since 1978, but the current project, developing the French Scorpene model in Brazil, has already consumed 21 billion reais. The fighter jet renewal program, with the development of the new generation of Swedish Gripen fighters, has so far cost 5.4 billion dollars. And certainly more Gripens and other models will be needed.

These figures are significant, but they refer to the entire contract period, which is spread over several years. In 2021, the FA's total investment did not reach 1 billion. Approximately 80% of the FA's budget is spent on personnel.

In short, there is no scandal in the purchase of the Centauro II. Especially since, after the disastrous announcement, the TCU (Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts) reviewed the document and discovered that only two tanks are actually being purchased, for testing purposes. The others are just promises.

But the Armed Forces could certainly hire the Dom Cabral Foundation to improve their organization and reduce costs. And how about social communication? When we remember General Pazuello's management during the pandemic, it's somewhat frightening to imagine the country at war.