Portuguese 
Spanish 
The Brazilian Navy signed a contract with BAE Systems to acquire two modern Bofors 40Mk4 naval gun systems through the PRONAPA program.
The Brazilian Navy signed a commercial contract with the defense multinational BAE Systems for the supply of two advanced Bofors 40Mk4 naval gun systems, aiming to modernize its patrol and coastal protection fleet.
The announcement of the agreement, linked to the Patrol Ship Acquisition Program (PRONAPA), foresees the installation of these state-of-the-art armaments on strategic vessels of the national fleet, such as the Patrol Ship “Maracanã”.
The project was motivated by the need to respond quickly and automatically to new technological threats at sea through a compact and lightweight platform.
-
Ukraine Bets on Swedish Gripen E Jets to Counter Russia, But 16 Fighters Won’t Arrive Until Late 2020s; Kiev to Use C/D Models for Pilot Training and Operations Amid Ongoing Missile and Drone Threats
-
End of an Era: US Navy’s C-2A Greyhound Makes Final Catapult Launch Before Retiring to Arizona Desert; Aircraft Supported Carriers in Wars and Humanitarian Missions for Nearly 60 Years
-
Italy’s New Military Helicopter, the Powerful AW249 Fenice, Impresses with AI, Advanced Weaponry, and Drone Integration in Combat
-
Brazil’s 72-meter submarines patrol 4.5 million km² of the South Atlantic, as the country builds its first nuclear-powered submarine capable of staying submerged for months.
Thus, the rearmament replaces old systems, allowing the military to quickly switch between programmable smart munitions to neutralize air, sea, and land targets.
Firepower of the Bofors 40Mk4 Cannon
The combat efficiency of the platform to be incorporated by the Brazilian Navy is directly linked to the high technology of its cartridges.
The cannon operates with the 40-millimeter Bofors 3P programmable ammunition, designed to offer the highest level of versatility and tactical effectiveness for crews.
The engineering of these projectiles allows a customized response for each type of combat:
- Six modes of operation: The smart cartridges can be digitally configured in six distinct options for automatic operation.
- Electronic adjustment: The detonation is programmed according to the specifics of the target to ensure the greatest possible impact of destruction.
- Tactical prevention: The combination of the traditional 40-millimeter cannon with these electronic resources leaves ships prepared for predictable dangers and surprises at sea.
Quick response against aerial threats and swarm tactics
The Bofors 40Mk4 model was developed to be a compact naval system with low structural weight.
This lightweight design was specifically planned for modern anti-aircraft defense operations, surface warfare, and combat against unmanned aerial systems (UAS), without compromising the space or performance of patrol vessels.
For this reason, the agility of the mechanism allows it to respond to the most complex contemporary threats in the geopolitical scenario:
- Combined missile and helicopter attacks;
- Spy or bombing drone systems;
- Swarming boats and surface ships;
- Strategic targets located on land.
Partnership in Latin America and the Global Strength of the Manufacturer
Although the Armed Forces of various countries already employ previous versions of the Bofors 40mm guns, the arrival of the 40Mk4 variant represents a significant advancement in performance and automation.
The system was developed to offer greater precision, rapid response, and flexibility in contemporary naval missions.
The adoption of this equipment also expands cooperation between manufacturers and operators in the international defense market, boosting technology transfer and strengthening the industrial base of the sector.
Present in dozens of markets around the world, BAE Systems brings together about 110,000 specialized professionals dedicated to the development, manufacturing, and support of solutions aimed at security, defense, and protection of critical infrastructures.
“We continue to be a trusted partner in Latin America, providing world-class capabilities to support the future growth of the region,” highlighted Stefan Löfström, Marketing and Sales Director of the BAE Systems Bofors division.
As the executive added, the state-of-the-art solutions perfectly combine high firepower with the rapid response required by the Brazilian Navy crews. Thus, PRONAPA’s investments endorse the modernization of ocean patrol, ensuring the sovereign monitoring of Brazilian waters.
With information from Poder Naval
