On September 17, Brazil received the last of 23 AAV amphibious assault vehicles. The vehicles arrived at the Galeão Air Force Base aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft. With this delivery, Brazil's Marine Corps now has 49 AAVs in its inventory.

Brazilian AAV 7A1 being unloaded from USAF C-17 Globemaster III (Picture source: Brazilian Navy)

Brazil signed a foreign military sales contract with BAE Systems in December 2015 worth $82 million. The deal covers equipment and services necessary to rebuild 20 total AAV 7A1 vehicles to the reliability, availability, maintainability/rebuild to standard (RAM/RS). The contract is part of a $117.5 million deal for 23 rebuilt AAVs. In addition to the 20 AAV 7A1 vehicles, Brazil is taking delivery of two equipped as command vehicles and one equipped as a recovery vehicle.

Once deployed to their operational unit, the Amphibious Vehicle Battalion (BtlVtrAnf in Portuguese), the vehicles will undergo warranty evaluation, painting, and installation of communications equipment. Once this step is completed, they will be transferred to the operating sector and can be used according to CFN needs. Compared to previous generations, the RAM / RS standard vehicles have a more powerful engine, new transmission and upgraded suspension system, offering better mobility, greater speed, ease of operation and comfort and safety conditions for the on-board troupe, contributing to the increase of the force's ability to perform amphibious operations.