Brazilian Army extends Leopard 1A5BR tank service life to 2040

Under the Strategic Armoured Forces Programme, the Brazilian Army (EB) is continuing the refurbishment of its Leopard 1A5BR tanks, a measure intended to sustain the operational capability of its units while a future replacement fleet is selected. By extending the tanks’ service life until 2040, the initiative will enable the EB’s armoured cavalry to retain its firepower and mobility, ensuring the continuity of its operations.

Leopard 1A5BR refurbishment programme

The Leopard 1A5BR refurbishment work is being carried out by the Regional Maintenance Park of the 3rd Military Region (Pq R Mnt/3) in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A specialist technical team is undertaking a comprehensive process involving the replacement of electronic components, structural overhauls of the hull and turret, and the introduction of new solutions created by engineers at the Military Engineering Institute (IME). According to the Regional Maintenance Park’s director, Colonel Idunalvo Mariano, “the Leopard refurbishment provides a further 15 years of operational service life, strengthening the Brazilian Army’s power-projection capability”.

Work began in 2025 and is scheduled to modernise 52 tanks over ten years. The first two vehicles have already been handed over after successfully completing performance and reliability trials. Each Leopard 1A5BR requires an average of two months of intensive work, covering checks of the starting, braking and turret-stabilisation systems, alongside calibration of the main armament. After this procedure is complete, the vehicles return to their respective armoured cavalry regiments across the three states within the Southern Military Command’s area of responsibility, which accounts for roughly 80% of the country’s armoured vehicle fleet.

Domestic production and future armoured vehicles

The programme also demonstrates the Army’s efforts to increase its industrial autonomy. At Santa Maria Park, a Studies and Projects section develops domestically manufactured parts to replace imported components, reducing costs and ensuring the availability of spares. As well as lowering external dependence, this approach encourages technological innovation within the Armed Forces and supports the programme’s sustainability.

While the Leopard 1A5BR tanks are being refurbished, the Brazilian Army is still assessing replacement options under the Strategic Armoured Forces Programme. This process, which began in 2024, includes the procurement of new Infantry Combat Vehicles (VBC Fuz) and Tank Combat Vehicles (VBC CC), with options including BAE Systems’ CV90 and CV90120, Elbit Systems’ Sabra Light, and Norinco’s VT5. These systems form part of a long-term plan, valued at more than R$ 30 billion (USD 5.3 billion), to equip the Army with 2,096 next-generation armoured vehicles by 2040.

M60A3 TTS Patton recovery work

In parallel, the Army has made substantial progress in restoring its M60A3 TTS Patton tank fleet, with 17 vehicles recently returned to operational service following Operation Patton 2025. As with the Leopard tanks, these extensive maintenance operations allow the Army to preserve its combat capability while the country’s new armoured standard is determined.

Images used for illustrative purposes.

You may also be interested in: The Portuguese Air Force seeks to expand its Black Hawk fleet through the acquisition of four new helicopters