IMBEL showcases Brazil’s full-spectrum defense manufacturing capability

Описание: Brazilian state-owned defense company IMBEL (Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil) is positioning itself as one of Latin America’s most comprehensive defense manufacturers, combining weapons production, ammunition, communications systems, and energetic materials under one integrated industrial structure.

Speaking to Defensehere.com, Eduardo Rangel de Carvalho, Chief Commercial Officer of IMBEL, outlined the company’s unique footprint within Brazil’s defense ecosystem. IMBEL’s headquarters is located in Brasília, inside the Brazilian Army’s headquarters, reflecting its close institutional ties with the armed forces.

IMBEL operates five industrial plants in southeastern Brazil, each specializing in a critical segment of defense production. These include facilities dedicated to small arms manufacturing, communications and electronic systems, heavy ammunition for artillery and mortars, and two chemical plants producing explosives and propellants.

“Our structure allows us to cover almost the entire defense production chain, from rifles and radios to large-caliber ammunition and energetic materials,” Carvalho said.

The company’s product portfolio is organized into four main families: command, control and communications systems, heavy ammunition ranging from 6 mm to 155 mm, small arms such as rifles and pistols, and explosives and propellants, including TNT, RDX, nitrocellulose, and other energetic compounds.

While the Brazilian Army remains IMBEL’s primary customer, the company is actively pursuing international markets, particularly in the Global South. IMBEL has ongoing engagements with multiple countries and is exploring future industrial cooperation with Turkish defense companies, following technical visits by IMBEL specialists to Turkish manufacturing facilities.

One of IMBEL’s key differentiators, according to Carvalho, is its ability to guarantee full lifecycle support for its products—often spanning decades.

“We still support rifles that were produced in the 1960s and remain in service today. We provide spare parts and maintenance throughout the entire lifecycle, exactly as the customer requires,” he explained.

This long-term sustainment capability, combined with vertically integrated production and sovereign manufacturing, positions IMBEL as a strategic partner for armed forces seeking reliability, autonomy, and enduring support in defense procurement.

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