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State Recorded R$ 55 Million in Business in 2024 and Brings Together 28 Companies Certified by the Federal Government, Consolidating Its Position in the Defense Sector.
Santa Catarina has surprised on the national scene by achieving third place in direct sales to the Armed Forces, coming in behind only São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The volume generated in 2024 reached R$ 55 million in products and services destined for the Ministry of Defense, revealing a strategic sector that is becoming increasingly relevant in the economy of Santa Catarina.
According to the NSC Total portal, this progress is the result of collaboration between industry and government, with emphasis on the actions of the Defense Industry Development Council (CONDEFESA), a body of FIESC that connects local companies with military demands.
The result is the generation of business opportunities in high technology areas, innovation, and diversified production.
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The Role of CONDEFESA and FIESC
The growth of Santa Catarina’s participation in the defense sector did not happen by chance. The CONDEFESA, linked to FIESC, aims to strengthen the relationship between companies and the Armed Forces.
Through seminars, fairs, and technical meetings, the council helps identify military demands and connects regional suppliers with strategic projects.
This movement creates a favorable environment for new companies to seek certification from the federal government, an essential requirement for participating in official purchases.
Today, Santa Catarina already has 28 qualified companies that operate in different productive sectors and show the diversity of the local industry.
Santa Catarina Products Reaching the Army, Navy, and Air Force
Santa Catarina’s sales to the Armed Forces cover a wide range of sectors.
Chemicals and plastics, information technology, textiles, footwear, food and beverages, machinery and equipment are among the main items traded.
In addition, areas like pharmaceuticals, health equipment, metallurgy, graphic industry, and automotive reinforce the weight of the state’s economy.
The portfolio doesn’t stop there: companies connected to wood and furniture, pulp and paper also benefit from the proximity to the military sector.
This diversification demonstrates Santa Catarina’s ability to meet both everyday product demands and advanced technology innovation projects.
Innovation and Research in the Spotlight
Innovation is one of the pillars of this advancement. In Florianópolis, the Army recently held a national research seminar, bringing together industries and technological development centers.
The meeting sought to bring industry closer to ongoing research, creating conditions to transform projects into practical solutions for the country.
Institutes such as SENAI of Innovation have presented prototypes of robots and nanosatellites, strengthening Santa Catarina’s image as a high technology hub.
These projects expand business possibilities and elevate the state to a reference level in applied innovation to national defense.
The consolidation of Santa Catarina as the third national force in sales to the Armed Forces shows that the defense sector goes well beyond the Rio-São Paulo axis.
The state combines industrial diversification, innovation, and institutional articulation to occupy a strategic space in the country.
Do you agree with this change? Do you think this new position can transform the Santa Catarina market and generate impacts for other regions of Brazil?
Leave your opinion in the comments—we want to hear from those who experience this firsthand.
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