Brazil's defense policy: cooperation is key
In 2008 Sweden and Brazil joined in a strategic partnership in defense cooperation. In December 2013, when Brazil bought the Swedish Saab's JAS Gripen as its next generation multirole fighter jet, an agreement in military engagement and other fields related to defense was further established. This sets a new stage for the direction of political dialogue between the two countries moving forward.
Against this backdrop, The Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) and The Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI) organized a discussion on 3 April 2014, on the topic of the cornerstones of Brazil´s defense policy with guest speaker Brazilian Minister of Defense Celso Amorim. In addition, FOI head of the Department for Security Policy and Strategic Studies Johannes Malminen provided a commentary to the discussion.
Questions such as; what are fundamental security concerns and challenges that Brazil is facing today, and how do they shape the fundaments of Brazil´s defense policy, nationally and internationally, were raised during the discussion.
"In recent years Brazil has experienced great changes. Democracy was established in 1985 and democratic principles have consistently strengthened and deepened in Brazil," said Celso Amorim in his speech.
"However, this raises the issue of how Brazil shapes its defense policy these days. Building peace and cooperation is key. We see it is a peacebuilding tool," Amorim added.
Amorim noted that Brazil with its impressive size, both geographically and economically, places high importance on the country's defense policy. For example, its natural resources, such as energy, fresh water, minerals, as well as plenty of sun as a resource for food production, has changed the way Brazil has had to establish security mechanisms to protect its natural resources.
According to Amorim, there is an increased awareness in the country toward security and defense measures, as well as other priorities. This became apparent with the new JAS/Gripen agreement in December, after the negotiations had been delayed for several years. The modernization of the defense should be connected to industrial development, thus making technology an important factor.
In earlier years, Brazil's defense policy has had a regional, more internal focus, but with these new developments, the country is looking at threats from a global perspective, and specifically how to form alliances. Today both regional cooperation as well as increased engagement between various associations, such as the BRIC countries, shows the importance of this trend.
"I see multi-polarity as the pillar of a new world order," said Amorim, emphasizing this trend as one of the more important in Brazil's strategic defense policy.
Brazil cannot rely on others defending the country which makes a much needed defense policy, in combination with regional cooperation, particularly in the Union of South America's Nations (UNASUR).
"Brazil is a peaceful country, but not a defenseless one," said Amorim.
Photo 1: Brazilian Minister of Defense Celso Amorim with UI's Head of Communications Anna Wislander.
Photo 2: Celso Amorim speaking to participants.
Photo 3: (Left) Elisa Sohlman, Executive Director, Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Sweden, Celso Amorim (second left), Brazil's ambassador to Sweden Leda Lúcia Camargo, and Anna Wislander (right)