CURITIBA, Brazil -- The Brazilian Army initiated its first maintenance training session for its new M109A5 self-propelled howitzers. The training session lasted from February 5 to February 9. The activity was attended by 14 personnel from the 5th Military Maintenance Group, the 5th Self-Propelled Artillery Group, and the 15th Self-Propelled Artillery Group.
Brazil is currently taking delivery of 32 M109A5s that were donated by the U.S. Brasilia authorized funds to take delivery of another 60 in July 2017. These vehicles will be added to the M109A3s already in service in the Brazilian Army.
Objectives of the training session are to highlight the similarities as well as the differences between the M109A3 and M109A5 so that personnel know how to work on the new vehicles. The training session also sought to standardize maintenance procedures for the new vehicles.
The howitzers are being upgraded to the M109A5+BR standard under a $53.9 million foreign military sales contract signed in September 2016. BAE was awarded the contract by the U.S. Army on behalf of the Brazilian Army. Work includes upgraded fire control and other components. BAE will also provide three-years of operational service, technical manuals, supply catalogs, specialized tooling used for maintenance, training, and technical assistance.
The howitzers are being acquired as part of an effort to improve Brazil's indirect fire capabilities. Brasilia is also acquiring ASTROS 2020 multiple rocket launch systems.
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