The Ministry of Defense will receive R$ 1.53 billion from the Accelerated Growth Program (PAC) for Equipment. The resources are for the purchase of 4,170 trucks, 40 Guarani armored vehicles and 30 Astros 2020 missile launch vehicles. The transfer of resources was authorized yesterday through a Provisional Measure signed by President Dilma Rousseff in a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace. The PAC program will allocate a total of R$ 8.43 billion in 2012 and aims to stimulate the Brazilian economy through additional investment and the generation of employment and income.

The Provisional Measure sent to the National Congress approves R$ 6.61 billion of contingency budget resources. Details of the Equipment PAC were disclosed by the Minister of Finance, Guido Mantega, in justifying the need for the Federal Government to take such measures in order to stimulate the national economy. According to the Minister, as a result of the European crisis, which has immediate effects on the global economy, the government is taking “a set of measures to expand investment, stimulate demand, increase confidence and accelerate growth”.

The Ministry of Defense will receive R$ 1.5 billion for military equipment of national design, manufactured in Brazil. Of this total, R$ 342.4 million will be for the purchase of 40 Guarani armored vehicles. As the Army had already ordered 21 units for this year, the Equipment PAC will allow a further 19 Guaranis to be added to the list.

The plan also provides for R$ 246 million for the acquisition of 30 Missile Launch Vehicles – the Astros 2020. The remaining R$ 939.6 million will be for the purchase of 4,170 trucks of different types and models used to transport troops and for cargo, deliveries, water tankers, fire fighting and general use. These vehicles will be added to the 900 originally planned, bringing the total order to 5,070 trucks in 2012.