Brazil strengthens ties with Russia by eyeing Oniks missile replicas
In the past, Brazil refused to assist Ukraine by rejecting a request to support them with 450 Guarani 6x6 armoured vehicles. At the time, this decision was attributed to an effort to avoid antagonising Moscow, with which Brazil maintains trade programmes. Now, the South American country appears to be tightening its ties with Russia by showing interest in purchasing replicas of the Russian P-800 Oniks missiles.
Recently, Brazilian authorities have shown reluctance to support Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. This concerns their refusal to provide several hundred armoured vehicles that Kyiv intended to purchase. Despite specific financial proposals and assurances that the equipment would be used for humanitarian purposes, Brazil ultimately responded with a refusal.
They want to buy replicas of Russian Oniks missiles
Local journalists have reported that Brazil's actions regarding Ukraine's proposal are driven by a desire to maintain relations with the Russian Federation. According to the Ukrainian portal Defence Express, Brazilian authorities continue to look towards Moscow, which is now showing interest in purchasing Oniks missiles. However, India, which produces a copy of this type of Russian weapon, will also participate in the procurement.
"India and Brazil are intensifying efforts to strengthen defence 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 expected to arrive in India to discuss, among other things, the purchase of the Oniks missiles, or rather BrahMos, which is a replica of this ammunition produced in collaboration with Russia.
This is how Russia bypasses sanctions
Defence Express notes that BrahMos missile production is essentially one way to circumvent the sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation. The production of Indian missiles is managed by a consortium in which Russia owns 49.5% of the shares. This means that selling equipment to Brazil via India will enable Moscow to gain revenue from the defence market.
The aforementioned BrahMos missile (PJ-10) is a supersonic cruise weapon designed primarily to eliminate surface threats, such as ships. It can also strike ground targets.
A ramjet engine propels this nearly 9-metre long and 3-tonne missile with a thrust of 40 kN, capable of accelerating the rocket to a speed of Mach 2.8 or over 3,400 km/h. The range of the BrahMos missile is determined to be 120 km during low-altitude flight and 290 km for high-altitude strikes. The precision of the strike is ensured by an autonomous (inertial) navigation system combined with radar and active-passive systems. The conventional warhead weighs 200 kg.
