São Paulo – The United Arab Emirates was one of the leading destinations of Brazilian defense exports this year, according to data from Brazil’s Secretariat of Defense Products (Seprod). Year to date through November, authorizations had been issued for exports of products and services totaling USD 3.1 billion, up 74% compared to 2024 and more than double the amount in 2023. The data was released by Brazil’s Ministry of Defense on Monday (1).
According to the ministry’s statement, Germany, Bulgaria, the UAE, the United States, and Portugal were the main importers this year. The defense industry includes products such as aircraft, vessels, armored vehicles, weapons, ammunition, radars, and cybersecurity technology. The ministry reports that there are 80 exporting companies in the sector, with clients in 140 countries. This segment, the ministry adds, accounts for approximately 3.49% of Brazil’s gross domestic product.
The UAE is not only an importer of defense products but also investors in Brazilian companies. Through Edge Group, they control SIATT, which develops integrated security systems, and Condor, a manufacturer of non-lethal equipment and technologies. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Edge Group also establishes partnerships with state governments and public agencies.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
