Brazil Freezes Israeli Artillery Purchase After President Lula’s Criticism
Brasília, Brazil – A planned purchase of Israeli artillery by the Brazilian army has been put on holdfollowing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s public criticism of Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip, according to a report by US-based Defense News.
The deal, which would have seen Brazil acquire 36 ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers from Israel’s Elbit Systemsfor an estimated $210 million, was announced in May. However, sources within the Brazilian military have confirmed that the purchase is now frozen, although not officially canceled.
President Lula has not yet signed any executive order, includingcanceling the purchase of the ATMOS 2000 or reopening the bidding process to choose or negotiate other options, a source told Defense News.
The decision to freeze the purchase comes after Lula publicly condemned Israel’s military offensive inGaza, calling it a massacre and urging a ceasefire. His comments have sparked controversy, with some accusing him of bias against Israel.
Brazilian Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro and Army Commander General Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva are reportedly attempting to unfreeze the deal. They are hoping to persuade President Lula toproceed with the purchase and are requesting that Israel provide two sample artillery pieces for testing.
Some Brazilian military officials argue that switching to another supplier would lead to further delays and negatively impact Brazilian companies already contracted to produce parts and assemble the howitzers.
The Brazilian Defense Ministry and the Army have not responded to requests forcomment.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has also strained relations between Colombia and Israel. Despite the tension, Colombia’s government proceeded with its purchase of 18 ATMOS 2000 howitzers from Elbit Systems in early 2023, valued at $102 million.
The situation highlights the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the conflict and the potential impact on military procurement decisions. It remains unclear whether Brazil will ultimately proceed with the purchase of the Israeli artillery or choose an alternative supplier.
References:
- Defense News. (2024, October8). Brazil freezes Israeli artillery purchase after Lula’s criticism. Retrieved from [link to Defense News article]
- Phoenix.com. (2024, October 9). 美媒：巴西总统批评以色列后“冻结”从以采购榴弹炮. Retrieved from [link to Phoenix.com article]
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