Brazilian Air Force activates air traffic control plan for COP30.
Security plan uses fighter jets, radar, helicopters, and anti-drone equipment to protect world leaders in Bethlehem.
247 - The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has implemented a special air defense and surveillance plan in Belém, which will host the COP 30 Leaders' Summit on November 6th and 7th. The operation aims to guarantee the security of heads of state and international authorities participating in the event.
The Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE) announced this Tuesday (4) the start of actions aimed at preserving the sovereignty of airspace during the meeting, considered one of the most important on the global environmental calendar. The information is from g1.
Combat aircraft and technological innovation
According to Air Force Lieutenant Brigadier Alcides Teixeira Barbacovi, commander of Aerospace Operations, the Brazilian Air Force will use aircraft from different categories, such as the F-5M fighters, equipped with Python 4 missiles, the A-29 Super Tucano, the KC-390 Millennium cargo plane, the E-99 radar plane, and the H-60L Black Hawk helicopter.
These aircraft will be responsible for surveillance, aerial refueling, search and rescue, and ground control missions. Barbacovi highlighted two innovations in the scheme: the expansion of in-flight refueling operations and the use of anti-drone equipment.
“It will be a fuel tank in the air, allowing the F-5 to fly all the time. And the other major difference is the use of anti-drone equipment. With these actions, we show the world, once again, that we are ready to carry out operations of this level,” the commander stated.
Restricted zones in airspace
COMAE has defined specific restricted and exclusion zones in the vicinity of the Amazon Convention Center Hangar, the summit's venue. The area was divided as follows:
White zone (reserved): 148 km radius
Yellow zone (restricted): 111 km radius
Red zone (no zone): 8 km radius
Suppression area: 2 km radius, with access exclusively for life support missions subject to authorization.
According to the report, these areas will be activated one hour before the start and deactivated one hour after the summit activities end. Aircraft intending to operate in the white or yellow zones must obtain prior authorization from COMAE.
Standards, decrees and safety measures
The operation follows the guidelines of Decree No. 12.699, of October 29, 2025, and Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC-N 46/25), published by the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA).
The Federal Government also issued a specific decree for the period of November 6-8, authorizing progressive measures that include intervention, persuasion, and, as a last resort, neutralization of hostile aircraft. COMAE will be responsible for the operational coordination of all actions, in accordance with Article 303 of the Brazilian Aeronautical Code.
