Brazil deepens ties with Russia, explores Oniks missile acquisition

Brazil previously refused to help Ukraine by rejecting a request for support with 450 Guarani 6x6 armored vehicles. At the time, it was said that the decision was made to avoid antagonizing Moscow, with which Brazil has trade programs. The South American country is somewhat tightening its ties with Russia by showing interest in purchasing Russian P-800 Oniks missiles.

The Brazilian authorities have been reluctant to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. This includes refusing to help with several hundred armored vehicles that Kyiv was willing to buy. Even though specific financial proposals were presented and assurances were made that the equipment would be used for humanitarian purposes, Brazil ultimately responded with a refusal.

Local journalists reported that Brazil's decision to reject Ukraine's proposal aimed to maintain relations with Russia. According to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express, Brazilian authorities are still looking towards Moscow and are now interested in purchasing Oniks missiles. However, India, which produces a copy of this Russian weapon, will participate in the purchase.

"India and Brazil are intensifying efforts to strengthen defense cooperation," we read. By the end of September, the details of "a range of joint projects and mutual arms sales" should be clarified. A delegation from Brazil is set to arrive in India to discuss, among other things, the purchase of Oniks missiles, or rather BrahMos missiles, which are copies of this ammunition produced in collaboration with Russia.

Defense Express notes that BrahMos missile production is essentially a way to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia. The production of these Indian missiles is handled by a consortium in which 49.5% of the shares belong to Russians. Selling equipment to Brazil in India will allow Moscow to gain revenue from the defense market.

In its basic version, the BrahMos missile (PJ-10) is a supersonic cruise weapon designed to eliminate surface threats like ships. It can also strike ground targets (water-to-ground).

This nearly 30-foot long, 3-ton missile is powered by a ramjet engine with a thrust of 40 kN, capable of accelerating the missile to Mach 2.8, or over 2,100 mph. The BrahMos missile has a range of 75 miles during low-altitude flight and 180 miles during a high-altitude strike. Precision is ensured by an autonomous (inertial) navigation system combined with radar and active-passive systems. The conventional warhead weighs 440 lbs.