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Brazilian Navy leads Operation ACRUX XII with 700 military personnel, drones, and Latin American forces in mega riverine operation in the Pantanal.
The Brazilian Navy led Operation ACRUX XII between April 20 and 25, considered the largest riverine operation in Latin America. The multinational exercise took place in Corumbá and Ladário, Mato Grosso do Sul, bringing together over 700 military personnel and vessels from five South American countries in a broad training and naval cooperation action on the Paraguay River.
According to information from the Navy News Agency on May 5, in addition to Brazilian participation, military personnel from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay integrated the operation, which focused primarily on strengthening interoperability among the region’s navies. For five days, the military conducted riverine patrolling, tactical landing, waterway traffic control, night reconnaissance with drones, and simulations of retaking areas occupied by fictitious enemy forces.
Operation ACRUX XII also reinforced the strategic importance of the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, one of Latin America’s main economic routes. The river corridor is fundamental for transporting cargo and agricultural products between the countries of the region, especially for Paraguay, which depends on the route for access to the ocean.
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Brazilian Navy’s riverine operation mobilized forces from five countries
Operation ACRUX XII demonstrated the capacity for military integration among Latin American countries in an environment considered complex for riverine operations. Coordinated by the Brazilian Navy, the exercise brought together naval assets, specialized troops, and air support along an approximately 60-kilometer stretch of the Paraguay River.
Throughout the riverine operation, military personnel carried out patrolling actions, protection of the riverine task force, riverbank sweeps, and waterway traffic control. The chosen scenario in the Mato Grosso do Sul Pantanal brought additional challenges due to the region’s natural characteristics, such as flooded areas, dense vegetation, and long navigation distances.
Rear Admiral Emerson Augusto Serafim, commander of the 6th Naval District, highlighted that the exercise was structured to expand joint operations among participating forces and strengthen response capabilities in multinational scenarios. According to him, the operation also contributed to the exchange of experiences and the improvement of military training in a riverine environment.
The ACRUX commission takes place every two years since 2001, always with rotating organization among participating countries. In this edition, Brazil assumed leadership of the largest riverine operation in Latin America.
Operation ACRUX XII employed drones, aircraft, and military vessels
One of the main highlights of Operation ACRUX XII was the use of night monitoring and surveillance technologies. In this edition, drones equipped with infrared sensors were widely used during the exercises, expanding reconnaissance capabilities in low-visibility areas.
The equipment allowed for the identification of movements and heat sources during night operations, increasing the efficiency of monitoring troops and vessels involved in the mission.
The Brazilian Navy also employed a UH-12 aircraft in reconnaissance, surveillance, and close air support missions. The helicopter directly supported the Monitor “Parnaíba” and Transport Ship “Paraguassu”.
Among the main assets used in the riverine operation were:
- Monitor “Parnaíba”
- Transport Ship “Paraguassu”
- Transport Ship “Almirante Leverger”
- Patrol Ships “Pirajá” and “Piratini”
- Riverine Logistic Support Ship “Potengi”
- Riverine Support Tender “Barão de Melgaço”
- Floating School Agency “Esperança do Pantanal”
Foreign forces also contributed with a large naval structure. Argentina participated with five naval assets, while Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay sent vessels and specialized troops for the operation.
Exercise simulated riverine assault in night action in the Pantanal
Among the most complex activities of Operation ACRUX XII was a riverine landing and assault exercise conducted during the night of April 24. The simulation involved military personnel from the five participating countries in a coordinated territory recapture operation.
During the action, the military personnel navigated about five kilometers using eight troop transport vessels, two “Guardian” type patrol boats, and one assault boat. After landing, the platoons advanced another five kilometers by land until reaching a training base used as the mission’s target.
The scenario reproduced a facility controlled by a fictional enemy, including a traffic control post and a simulated operations base. The objective of the training was to improve combat techniques in riverine areas and expand operational integration among Latin American forces.
The riverine operation required precise communication among military personnel and a high level of tactical coordination. The nocturnal actions also served to validate joint protocols for operating in difficult-to-access environments.
Latin America strengthens naval cooperation in the Paraguay-Paraná waterway
Operation ACRUX XII holds strategic importance not only for military defense but also for Latin America’s economic security. The Paraguay-Paraná waterway is considered one of the continent’s main logistical corridors and plays a fundamental role in the transport of goods and agricultural commodities.
Commander DEM Galeano, a member of the Paraguayan Navy and chief of the operation’s Combined Staff, emphasized that the exercise strengthens the naval forces’ capacity to protect regional navigation and ensure the security of river trade among participating countries.
The military integration promoted by the Brazilian Navy during the operation reinforces cooperation between neighboring nations on issues related to border security, protection of trade routes, and combating transnational threats.
In addition to military training, the operation also expanded technical exchange among participants. Officers and crews were able to share experiences related to navigation, logistics, and operations in complex river environments.
Among the central objectives of Operation ACRUX XII were:
- Strengthen interoperability among South American navies
- Improve operations in riverine environments
- Train joint responses in multinational scenarios
- Ensure greater security for the Paraguay-Paraná waterway
- Share operational experiences among participating forces
Brazilian Navy opened ships for public visitation in Corumbá
In addition to military activities, Operation ACRUX XII also fostered rapprochement between naval forces and the local population. On April 17, 18, and 19, the Multipurpose Ship A.R.A. “Ciudad de Rosario” from Argentina, and the Patrol Ship “Pirajá” from the Brazilian Navy, were open for public visitation in Corumbá.
More than 800 people visited the vessels during the period. Visitors were able to learn about the equipment used in the riverine operation, as well as the internal structures of the ships and details about the missions carried out in Latin America.
Among the visitors was José Alberto de Amorim, a former lieutenant of the Brazilian Army, who reported having relived significant experiences related to navigation on the Paraguay River. Viviane Amorim highlighted the military’s hospitality and drew attention to the female presence aboard the vessels, emphasizing the importance of representation in the armed forces.
The initiative helped to bring society closer to the activities developed by the Brazilian Navy and sparked public interest in the strategic relevance of the waterway for regional development.
What Operation ACRUX XII reveals about regional security
Operation ACRUX XII made it clear that military cooperation among Latin American countries is gaining importance in the face of current challenges related to river security and the protection of strategic trade routes.
By bringing together more than 700 military personnel, dozens of vessels, aircraft, and monitoring technologies, the Brazilian Navy demonstrated its coordination capability in large-scale multinational operations. The exercise also reinforced the relevance of the Pantanal as a training environment for complex riverine missions.
Another important point was the use of drones and infrared sensors, highlighting the modernization of military operations in the region. The integration among Brazilian, Argentine, Paraguayan, Bolivian, and Uruguayan troops showed that sharing knowledge and experiences remains essential to strengthen the security of the Paraguay-Paraná waterway.
At the end of the operation, representatives of the participating navies signed the official minutes of Operation ACRUX XII in Ladário, consolidating the results achieved and defining recommendations for the next edition of the exercise, scheduled to take place in 2028, in Paraguay.
With information from Navy News Agency.
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