Brazil eyes Akash missile, Scorpene submarine support ahead of Modi’s visit for Brics Summit

Modi is currently on a five-nation tour and will attend the 17th Brics Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 5 to 8, along with other stops in Latin America, including Argentina.

At a July 2 press briefing, India's Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East), P Kumaran, said defence cooperation will feature prominently in Modi’s discussions with Brazil's leadership, reported India Today.

"There's going to be talk on defence cooperation, avenues for joint research, and training," Kumaran was quoted as saying by the publication.

"They (the Brazilian government) are interested in secure communications systems on the battlefield, offshore patrol vessels, partnership for maintaining their Scorpene-class submarines, Akash air defence system, coastal surveillance system and Garuda artillery guns," he added.

The Akash missile, developed by India’s DRDO, gained recognition during Operation Sindoor in May, when India retaliated against a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam with strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and POK.

In response, Pakistan launched counterattacks using drones and missiles supplied by China and Turkey, targeting multiple Indian cities from Srinagar to Gujarat’s Bhuj.

India’s multi-layered air defence system intercepted every threat, with the Akash system—part of the AI-driven Akashteer network and broader Integrated Counter-UAS Grid (IACCS)—achieving 100% kill accuracy.