The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Brazilian Armed Forces have agreed to increase military to military cooperation in various fields of defence during an inaugural meeting of the Joint Defence Committee which was held in the Brazilian capital Brasilia from the 5 to 7 March 2013. A Term of Reference for the Brazil-South Africa Joint Defence Committee was also signed on how the committee will be managed.
The military to military cooperation between the two defence forces is seen as a key development that will benefit both forces in various fields of training and exchange programmes. Training of the SANDF in the jungle warfare is seen as a very important component view of the fact the defence force’s involvement in Peace Support Operations on the continent together with the diving, mountaineering maritime boarding and most importantly riverine operation.
Meanwhile the Brazilian Defence Force has shown keen interest in the training of its members at the Peace Support Training Centre on peacekeeping missions and the exchange of information on peacekeeping. Other areas of cooperation will be in the area of military science courses, language training (Portuguese) and submarine training between the two defence forces.
A detailed discussion on the exchange and sharing of operational experiences and participation of the SANDF during the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 was given to the Brazilian Defence as Brazil will be hosting both the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The Brazilian delegation showed keen interest in the management, command and control and coordination through the National Joints for events such as the World Cup and others of such magnitude. Furthermore discussions took place on the lessons learnt on Peace Support Operation by both militaries. Brazil is involved in Haiti whilst the SANDF is spread across the continent.
Parallel to the military to military discussions, a defence industry work group held its discussion on various defence industry related matters between the South African defence industry association and the Brazilian Armed Forces. Both sides explored the feasibility of cooperation in the development of technology in the areas of missiles, radar, radios and electronic warfare amongst others.
Brazil has the largest defence force in the South American region and brings with it a lot of experience in many fields which this cooperation will benefit both sides. Furthermore the Joint Defence Committee is a further consolidation of the already existing good relations between the two countries.
This bilateral defence relationship was formalised in 2003 with the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in Defence Related Matters by former Ministers of Defence from both countries.
This Agreement provided the political mandate for the establishment of this Joint Defence Committee. Since then there has been contact at various levels and interaction between our different sections of our defence force even though there was no formal structure. Work has indeed continued and therefore a lot has been amongst the defence forces and this amongst the many is been the relationship between the air forces and navies of our defence forces.
This inaugural meeting should also be seen against the backdrop of the strengthening the South/South cooperation and within the context of .South Africa joining the BRICS Group.
The meeting was presided over by Lt General Zimpande Msimang, Chief of the South African Air-Force and leader of the South African Delegation and by Fleet Admiral Carlos Augusto de Sousa the Head of Strategic Affairs in the Brazilian Ministry of Defence. The 1st meeting of the Brazil-South Africa Joint Defence Committee ended today.
Contact:
Siphiwe Dlamini, Head of Communication
Cell: 083 645 4294
