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The Ministry of Defense has authorized 115 military personnel from the United States, France, and Paraguay to temporarily enter Brazil for the Formosa Exercise 2026. The training will take place from September 3 to 25 in Goiás and the Federal District, bringing together foreign and Brazilian troops for scheduled joint military combat activities.
The Ministry of Defense has authorized the temporary entry and stay in Brazil of 115 foreign military personnel to participate in the Formosa Exercise 2026. The contingent will consist of members from the armed forces of the United States, France, and Paraguay and will engage in activities alongside the Brazilian Armed Forces from September 3 to 25.
The information was published by Poder360 on August 26, 2026. The authorization was formalized in a dispatch signed by Defense Minister José Múcio and published in the Official Gazette.
United States to Send 55 Military Personnel for the Exercise
The largest foreign contingent authorized comes from the United States, with 55 military personnel.
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Their presence will be temporary and specifically tied to conducting the Formosa Exercise 2026 during the period set by the Ministry of Defense.
France Will Send 40 Military Personnel, and Paraguay Will Send Another 20
France has been authorized to participate with 40 military personnel.
Paraguay may send an additional 20 personnel, bringing the total number of authorized foreign participants to 115 military personnel.
Training Will Occur from September 3 to 25
The Formosa Exercise 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 3 to 25.
Activities will be held in areas of Goiás and the Federal District, combining Brazilian and foreign forces during the training.
U.S. Contingent Will Arrive with Weapons and Ammunition
U.S. military personnel will be able to enter the country accompanied by materials used in the exercise.
The list includes weapons, ammunition, communication equipment, and optronic systems.
Optronic equipment combines optical and electronic resources
The optronic systems expected to accompany the U.S. contingent combine optical sensors and electronic components.
These devices can be used for functions such as detection, observation, identification, and tracking of targets within the activities planned for training.
José Múcio signed authorization published in the Official Gazette
The authorization was formalized by the Minister of Defense, José Múcio.
The order allows the entry and temporary stay of foreign military personnel in Brazilian territory during the necessary period for conducting the exercise.
Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs received communication about the operation
The Ministry of Defense sent the order to the ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs.
This communication is part of the administrative procedures related to the entry of foreign troops and the conduct of training in Brazil.
Navy, Army, and Air Force were also notified
The commands of the three Brazilian Armed Forces received the documentation.
Navy, Army, and Air Force were officially informed about the authorization granted to military personnel from the three participating countries.
Diplomatic representations of the three countries received notice
The diplomatic representations of the United States, France, and Paraguay in Brasília were also notified.
The measure formalizes with the respective countries the conditions for entry and stay of their military personnel during Exercise Formosa 2026.
Exercise Formosa has been conducted by the Navy since 1988
The operation is not an activity created specifically for 2026.
Exercise Formosa has been conducted by the Navy since 1988 and has become established as training focused on military operations.
Training simulates combat situations
The activities simulate combat operations with the participation of the mobilized military personnel.
The reported objective is to maintain the conditions of readiness for action of the marines, subjecting the troops to planned exercises within the training environment.
Army and Air Force began participating in 2021
For decades, the exercise was primarily linked to the Navy.
Since 2021, the Army and Air Force have also joined the activities, expanding the joint participation of the Brazilian Armed Forces.
The name comes from the Formosa Military Training Field in Goiás
The name of the operation is related to the location where the central part of the activities occurs.
The Formosa Military Training Field in Goiás gives its name to the annual military exercise.
The 2021 edition featured a convoy of armored vehicles passing through Brasília
The exercise gained greater political attention in 2021, during the administration of Jair Bolsonaro.
In that year, for the first time, a convoy of armored vehicles, weapons, and other means of the Marine Corps passed through Brasília alongside the activities of the exercise.
Opposition spoke of pressure on Congress and the Navy denied it
Opposition parties interpreted the movement that year as an attempt to coerce the National Congress.
The Navy denied this interpretation, maintaining a different position regarding the convoy’s passage through Brasília.
Formosa Exercise 2026 will gather 115 foreign military personnel in September
The authorization published on August 26 allows 55 military personnel from the United States, 40 from France, and 20 from Paraguay to temporarily participate in activities scheduled between September 3 and 25.
Formosa Exercise 2026 will continue a training program that has been taking place since 1988 and has, since 2021, involved the Brazilian Navy, Army, and Air Force, now also with foreign participation authorized by the Ministry of Defense.
In your opinion, do joint exercises with military personnel from other countries help enhance the preparedness of the Brazilian Armed Forces? Share your thoughts in the comments.
