BAE Systems and Knightec Group Brazil have launched a strategic partnership focused on the production of military vehicle components and technology transfer in Resende, Brazil. BAE Systems, the manufacturer of the BvS10 and CV90 vehicles, aims to create employment in the state of Rio de Janeiro and strengthen the local defense industry through its collaboration with Knightec Group Brazil (formerly known as Semcon Brazil).
Pilot Program: New Designs for the BvS10
As part of the initial phase of the collaboration, a pilot program, Knightec Group is integrating its automotive engineering expertise into BAE Systems’ supply chain. In this context, new conceptual designs are being developed for gear housings for the BvS10 amphibious all-terrain vehicle. The main focus of these efforts is to optimize production costs and improve design performance.
Lars Pettersson, Engineering Director at BAE Systems Hägglunds, stated that the aligned processes to be established in the early stages of this initiative in Brazil will provide a solid foundation for future complex projects and growth.
Local Production and Technology Transfer in Brazil
The long-standing Europe-based relationship between BAE Systems and Knightec (which merged with Semcon in 2024) has now been extended to South America through this initiative. Fabricio Campos, Country Manager of Knightec Group Brazil, emphasized that this collaboration is a critical step toward strengthening local industrial capacity and engineering capabilities.
Marco Caffe, Managing Director of BAE Systems Brazil, highlighted the company’s more than 100-year history in Brazil and stated:
“Our goal is to do more with our industrial partners in Brazil in the future. For example, if we are selected to provide the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, we will produce these vehicles in Brazil, for Brazil. The necessary export control approvals are in place, and we are ready to deliver.”
Global Success and an Expanding Supply Chain
The BvS10 vehicle family, preferred by countries such as Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, currently has 1,200 units in service worldwide, with more than 650 additional vehicles on order. This production initiative in Brazil will help BAE Systems scale up its manufacturing capacity and diversify its global supply chain to meet increasing demand.
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Source: C4Defence– BAE Systems
