Brazil’s Army Manufacturing Directorate has signed a contract with IDV for the supply of 420 LMV-BR 2 (Light Multirole Vehicle) for the Brazilian Army. Deliveries will be within a 10-year timeframe with the first units expected to be delivered in 2026.
This new order of LMV-BR 2 vehicles, known in Brazil as “Guaicurus,” will be produced in two different variants, one with a manual weapon system and the other with a remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS). All vehicles will be equipped with a command and control system. The 420 units of “Guaicurus” will be produced locally at IDV’s plant in Sete Lagoas.
IDV stated that the signing of this 10-year contract for LMV-BR 2 vehicles is an important milestone in the partnership between the Brazilian Army and IDV. This contributes significantly to the growth of the national defence industry and strengthens the strategic development of the Brazilian Ground Forces. The solid collaboration between the Brazilian Army and IDV has a long history, including the supply of 700 units of the 6×6 amphibious armoured vehicle Guarani, as well as 32 units of the LMV-BR.
The Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV) has been continuously developed since its launch, benefiting from the extensive experience of its users. Over the last 20 years, IDV has gained expertise in developing military vehicles to meet the most demanding operational requirements of its customers engaged in special operations and peacekeeping missions, especially in complex urban contexts.
First produced in 2006, the LMV has undergone continuous development and innovation. The latest iteration, the LMV2, offers improved performance with increased payload, enhanced reliability, and better crew comfort. The new version has a G.V.W. of 8.1t and is powered by the FPT F1C engine paired with a brand new ZF automatic 8-speed transmission.
The upgraded driveline includes three differential locks, can handle more power, and offers optional ADM (Automatic Drivetrain Management) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program), enhancing off-road handling and driving safety. Mobility has been further enhanced with a specially designed new suspension unit and new tyres, improving the vehicle’s all-terrain capacity.
Crew protection has been given special priority, with the crew cell being decoupled from all other components to minimize blast energy transmission. This is achieved through technical solutions including an underbelly blast shield, multi-layered floor structure, suspended and shock-dampened seats, supporting structures, and the use of composite materials.
The “dual-role” hard-top, constructed on a ballistic steel monocoque framework with a lightweight aluminium/steel roll-bar, allows the vehicle to be equipped with either a manual turret or Remote Weapon Station (RWS), providing greater deployment flexibility.
The LMV2 is designed to accommodate extensive mission systems such as BMS, intercom, ECM (Electronic Counter Measures), and radio, thanks to its outstanding Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) profile that meets the exceptionally demanding DEF-STAN and MIL-STD requirements. Sub-system integration has also been greatly eased by adopting a new digitized electronic architecture and improved power supply.
The shape and dimensions of the LMV2 give the vehicle a reduced cross-spectrum signature (thermal, acoustic, visual, and radar) and significant transportability and strategic mobility by land, air, and helicopter. Maintenance demand has been reduced by improving the type and location of certain subsystems and by tailoring the service regime.
An optional, digitized dashboard provides on-demand maintenance-based data, allowing users to accurately review and schedule maintenance tasks. The LMV is available with different protection levels and cabins (short and long type) to meet a wide range of mission roles, due to its modular design allowing for diverse mission variants.
