Army’s Most Powerful Deterrent System

The Brazilian Army has authorized the Missile and Rocket Logistics Centre to purchase six vehicles from the Area Saturation Artillery Missile and Rocket System (ASTROS) MK6 family. Three of the vehicles were already covered under the 2018 contract, the balance are fresh procurements.

The vehicles will be used to supplement the ASTROS vehicles already in service with the 16th Missile and Rockets Group. Among the operational vehicles are the AV-RMD (used for transport of ammunition), the AV-OFVE (maintenance and repair) and AV-UCF (fire control and monitoring).

Developed by Avibras, ASTROS is combat-proven and has been exported to a number of countries. It is currently the most powerful deterrent system operated by the Army. Under the ASTROS 2020 Strategic Project, the Army aims to equip pertinent units with systems capable of providing long-range fire support with high degrees of precision and lethality. Implementation of the project is centred on a nucleus at Fort Santa Bárbara in Formosa, which houses two missile and rocket groups, a Missile and Rocket Artillery Instruction Centre, a logistics centre, a targeting battery, air-conditioned ammunition warehouses, an administrative centre and training facilities. It is currently focused on development of new weapon systems, including the AV-SS-40 G guided rocket and AV-TM-300 (MTC) tactical cruise missile.

Florencia Lucero Heguy and Santiago Rivas in Buenos Aires for MON