Brazil unveils new Guarani 6×6 variants

Shown here is the VBE Eng configuration of the VBTP-MSR Guarani. (Victor Barreira)

The Brazilian operation of Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) is proposing an export version of the Guarani 6×6 amphibious armoured vehicle, Giovanni Giordani, marketing manager at IDV in Brazil told Janes .

The vehicle is equipped with provisions for an external armoured add-on jointly developed with local company System Car and has a rear-mounted ComeUp Industries Bison 20 hydraulic recovery winch, according to Giordani.

IDV is delivering hundreds of Guarani vehicles to the Brazilian Army, where it is designated the VBTP-MSR Guarani.

The Brazilian Army recently completed its first VBTP-MSR Guarani vehicle converted to transport the Mrt Me ACg 81 mm lightweight mortar, Janes was told. A total of 182 vehicles are scheduled to be converted to the mortar carrier variant in a project conducted at the War Arsenal of Rio de Janeiro.

The army also converted two of its VBTP-MSR Guarani vehicles to the VBE Eng engineering variant, fitted with a vehicle integration kit developed by Pearson Engineering.

The 15th Mechanized Combat Engineering Company and the 1st Combat Engineering Battalion have each received one modified vehicle and one set of equipment consisting of a general-purpose blade, a loader bucket, and an excavator manipulator arm. The excavator manipulator arm can accept a Furukawa Rock Drill FX45 hydraulic breaker and Caterpillar's digging bucket.