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Securing the Future: The Next Generation of Defence Cooperation | LASC 2026

The panel at LASC 2026 examined how the United Kingdom, led by BAE Systems, is shaping the next generation of defence cooperation with Latin America, especially Brazil. Speakers highlighted a history of joint projects that go beyond sales, focusing on technology transfer, local industrialisation and long‑term strategic alignment. John Stalker detailed concrete examples: upgrades to the Brazilian Army’s M109 howitzer and M113 APC, a planned transfer of a 105 mm howitzer production line, and the proposal to build the CV9C infantry fighting vehicle in Brazil. In the naval arena, BAE supports the Brazilian flagship Atlântico, the forthcoming transfer of HMS Bulwark, and the Amazon‑class offshore patrol vessels, all involving Brazilian supply‑chain partners such as Embraer and Edenrom for munitions and electrification projects. Stalker emphasized three lessons: sustained bilateral dialogue with partners, delivering value across military, industrial, economic and political stakeholders, and operating within a government‑to‑government framework. He noted, “the best things come in threes,” underscoring the need for patience, stakeholder breadth, and appropriate timing. The implications are significant: Brazil gains sovereign capability and export potential, while the UK secures a strategic foothold in a geopolitically vital region. The model of joint development and autonomous‑system investment could become a template for other Latin American nations seeking modern, locally‑sustained defence solutions.