Brazil rolls out first modernised Cascavel tank

Akaer Engenharia developed a new powertrain for the EE-9 M VII Cascavel 6×6 armoured reconnaissance vehicle among other design upgrades. (Akaer Engenharia )

The Brazil programme to deliver increased firepower, situational awareness, command-and-control, and mobility to its EE-9 M VII Cascavel 6×6 armoured reconnaissance vehicle will roll out the first prototype of the newly modernised vehicle in July.

The first Akaer Engenharia prototype principally includes components of the new powertrain, Aldo da Silva Júnior, the company's business and sales executive vice-president, told Janes on 27 June.

The company expects to unveil the vehicle fitted out with new optronics in December and an anti-tank missile capability in July 2024, Júnior said.

Akaer will deliver a vehicle in January 2024 for evaluation at the Army Evaluations Center (CAEx), Augusto Reis Vieira, marketing and communication director at Akaer, told Janes on 6 July.

The army's manufacturing directorate inked a BRL74.6 million (USD15.2 million) deal for Consórcio Força Terrestre – a consortium formed by the companies Akaer, Opto, and Universal – to build two prototypes and seven pilot batch vehicles in July 2022.

At War Arsenal of São Paulo (AGSP), the vehicle received the following upgrades: 225 hp MWM Acteon 6.12 TCE diesel engine; a 6+1 Allison 3000 Series automatic transmission; twin missile launch system for Rafael's Spike LR2 anti-tank missile; optronics and related digital displays for the driver, commander, and gunner; electric turret drive and elevation system.

The Communications and Electronic Warfare Command of the Brazilian Army will supply a new command-and-control suite and AGSP will carry out the 90 mm cannon refurbishment.