Brazilian Marine Corps

Brazilian Marine Corps Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais
100px Brazilian Marine Corps seal.
Active	1808 - present
Country	Brazil
Branch	Brazilian Navy
Type	Naval infantry
Size	15,000
Part of	Navy Ministry of Defence
General-Command HQ	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Motto	Adsumus (Here we are)
Colors	Red; White
Anniversaries	March 7
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief	President Michel Temer
Commander of the Navy	Admiral Eduardo Leal Ferreira
General-Commander of the Marine Corps	Admiral Fernando Antonio de Siqueira Ribeiro

The Brazilian Marine Corps (Portuguese: Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais; CFN) is the land combat branch of the Brazilian Navy.

Mission

Deployed nationwide, along the coast, in the riverine regions of Amazon and in the Pantanal, in peacetime it provides for the security of Naval installations and aids isolated populations through civic action programs in the Naval Districts. Abroad, it provides security for the Embassies of Brazil in Algeria, in Paraguay, in Haiti and in Bolivia. It has participated in all of the armed conflicts in the Military history of Brazil, foreign and domestic.

The badge consists of a fouled anchor superimposed over a pair of crossed rifles. It is worn on the collar points of the dress and service uniforms and on the Ribbon Bonnet (Gorro de Fita).

History

Main articles: Invasion of Cayenne (1809), Battle of Riachuelo, and Siege of Humaitá

The Royal Brigade of the Navy

The Brazilian Marines trace their origin to 1808 when the troops of the Royal Brigade of the Navy (the Portuguese Marine Corps) arrived in Brazil (then a Portuguese colony) when Mary I of Portugal and her son Prince Regent John (later King John VI of Portugal) relocated themselves to the Portuguese South American territory during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.

The baptism of fire: the conquest of Cayenne

In retaliation for the invasion of Portugal, Prince Regent, Dom João ordered the invasion of French Guiana, whose capital, Cayenne, was captured on the 14th of January 1809.

Historical campaigns

Brazilian Marines in the Battle of Riachuelo.

After Brazilian independence the force received many names and underwent various reorganisations. It was involved in several wars and campaigns: the War of the Independence of Brazil, conflicts in the River Plate basin, and the Paraguayan War. During the latter the Corps won distinction in both the Battle of Riachuelo and in the taking of Humaitá.

United Nations service

The CFN if has participated in the humanitarian actions promoted by UN in such diverse theatres of operation as Bosnia, Honduras, Mozambique, Rwanda, Angola, East Timor and currently in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The Corps today

MOWAG Piranha is the main armored personal carrier in service with the CFN.

Staff and mission

With about 15,000 men, all volunteers, professionals in combat on land, air and sea, its mission is to guarantee the projection of the naval power on land, by means of landings from Navy ships and helicopters. The Corps is an integral part of the Navy, encompassing about one third of its manpower. Ranks are naval instead of Army, with the exception of Privates, who are called Soldados (Soldiers).

In the case of Brazil this is a complex mission, since the country has a territory of about 8,5 million km² (3.28 million sq. miles), a coast of more than 7,400 km (4,600 mi) with many oceanic islands, and a navigable waterways network of approximately 50,000 km (31,000 mi). This last one includes the Brazilian Amazon. To cover climates and natural landscapes so diversified as Pampas of Rio Grande Do Sul, pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, deserts of the Northeast region and Amazonian Rainforest, demands a training of the highest standards, agility and versatility. Therefore, there are units trained in demolition techniques, special operations, combat in forests, mountain and ice, and helicopter-transported operations.

Trained as a Fast Deployment Unit, recently, with the sending of Brazilian military observers, also integrating the Peacekeeping Forces of the United Nations, the Marines have made their presence in distinctive areas of conflict as El Salvador, Bosnia, Angola, Moçambique, Ruanda, Peru, Ecuador, East Timor and currently Haiti.

On March 30, 2014 security forces in Rio de Janeiro occupied since the dawn of day, the set of Shantytown Tide in the North Zone of Rio. Region is being prepared to receive the Pacifying Police Unit (UPP), Brazilian Marine Corps also provide support with 21 armored vehicles and 500 men.

Organization

The Corps headquarters is located in Fortaleza de São José, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro.

Structure Naval Fusiliers Corps

Fleet Marine Force

The Fleet Marine Force (Força de Fuzileiros da Esquadra (FFE)) consists of the following units:

• 1st Amphibious Division (Divisão Anfíbia (DivAnf)) of brigade size with three marine infantry battalions (Batalhão de Fuzileiros Navais (BFN) as its main fighting force, along with the following:
  • Command and Control Battalion (Batalhão de Comando e Controle),
  • 1st "Riachuelo" Marine Infantry Battalion (BFN)
  • 2nd "Humaita" Marine Infantry Battalion (BFN)
  • 3rd "Paissandu" Marine Infantry Battalion (BFN)
  • Marine Artillery Battalion (Batalhão de Artilharia de Fuzileiros Navais)
  • Marine Armoured Vehicle Battalion (Batalhão de Blindados)
  • Marine Tactical Air Control and Air Defence Battalion (Batalhão de Controle Aerotático e Defesa Antiaérea)
  • Governor's Island Marine Base (Base de Fuzileiros Navais da Ilha do Governador),
• Reinforcement Troop (Tropa de Reforço (TrRef)) located in Ilha das Flores in São Gonçalo (RJ), composed of the following:
  • Marine Engineer Battalion (Batalhão de Engenharia de Fuzileiros Navais),
  • Marine Logistic Battalion (Batalhão Logístico de Fuzileiros Navais),
  • Amphibious Vehicles Battalion (Batalhão de Viaturas Anfíbias),
  • Police Company (Companhia de Polícia)
  • Landing Support Company (Apoio ao Desembarque)
  • Isle of Flowers Marine Base (Base de Fuzileiros Navais da Ilha das Flores),
  • Landing Troop Command (Comando da Tropa de Desembarque (ComTrDbq)), located at Duque de Caxias (RJ) - provides the means to command, control and administer the Command of the Fleet Marine Force and to also local units
• Marine Special Operations Battalion "Tonelero" (Batalhão de Operações Especiais de Fuzileiros Navais (Batalhão Tonelero)) A unit similar to US Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, formed in 1957 and structured for high risk operations. Its mission is to destroy or damage prominent objectives in heavily defended areas, capture or rescue personnels or equipment, seize installations, obtain information, mislead and produce psychological effects.
• Rio Meriti Naval Marine Base (Base de Fuzileiros Navais do Rio Meriti (BFNRM)), located in Duque de Caxias (RJ)
• ships detachments

Regional

"Marine Groups" (Grupamentos de Fuzileiros Navais (GptFN) are subordinate to the Naval Districts (Distritos Navais), for the security of naval installations, as well as performing operations in support of the Naval District where they are assigned, while the 7th Marine Group is also tasked for public duties in the Brasilia area. They are located in the vicinity of the local Naval District headquarters. The 8th Naval District does not possess any such group. GptFNs are small-sized Marine battalions.

• GptFN do Rio de Janeiro, RJ (1st DN)
• GptFN de Salvador, Bahia (2nd DN)
• GptFN de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte (3rd DN)
• GptFN de Belém, Pará (4th DN)
• GptFN de Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul (5th DN)
• GptFN de Ladário, Mato Grosso do Sul (6th DN)
• GptFN de Brasília, Distrito Federal (7th DN)
• Riverine Operations Battalion (Batalhão de Operações Ribeirinhas), Manaus, Amazonia (9th DN)

Musical support is rendered by the Central Band of the Marine Corps in Rio (1st ND), the Brasilia Marine Corps Band and the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps (7th Naval District) and by the Marine Bands of each of the other Naval Districts save for the 8th ND.

Methods

To fulfill its missions, the Marines land off the ships of the Brazilian Navy, be it using landing boats, amphibious vehicles or helicopters. For this they count on the support of the navy and/or sea and air support.

On land, it operates its normal way, which include tanks, field artillery, antiaircraft artillery, combat engineering, communications and electronic warfare.

Training

To fulfill its missions, fusiliers must pass a rigorous physical training program, normally with many runs, calisthenics, sleep deprivation, swimming while holding their breath, practice shooting with diverse armaments, especially metal rings, rappeling and, in some cases, combat.

Uniforms

The Brazilian Marines wear the variation of the Brazilian Lizard Pattern, known as navy lizard . Vest's: The marines for a long time used the IBA "Interceptor body armor" in woodland, but they are now being replaced by Eagle industries Maritime Ciras with Woodland Cover, and Black for SOF. For the Comandos Anfibios is also issued a green version and black version of the WTC Recon Plate Carrier. Boot: They use Atlas Atalaia combat boots, in coffee brown.

Gallery

• 

  Brazilian marines protection in response to chemical emergencies

• 

  Brazilian Marines in the red gala uniform titled "Garança"

• 

  Brazilian marines demonstrate lane training

• 

  Marines corps in riverine operations.

• 

  Brazilian AAV amphibious vehicle in action

• 

  Landing ship dock amphibious vehicles.

• 

  Rocket artillery in Brazilian Marines Corps

• 

  Marines on patrol boat for river

• 

  Brazilian naval infantry

• 

  Brazilian Marines in landing exercise

• 

  Members of the Brazilian Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion

• 

  Members of the Brazilian Marine Corps

• 

  Two members of the command amphibious operations

• 

  Marines in operation of law and order in Rio de Janeiro

Main Equipment

Tank

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
SK-105 Kürassier	Austria	Light tank	SK 105A2S 4KH7FA	16 01	Planned more 22 vehicles for the future.

Infantry fighting vehicles

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
M113	United States	Armored personnel carrier	M113A1 M125A1 M577A1 XM806E1 M113A1G	24 02 02 01 01	Upgrade to finish in 2013. Planned more 42 vehicles for the future.
Mowag Piranha 8x8	Switzerland	Armoured personnel carrier/reconnaissance	Piranha IIIC	30	Delivery Process. Planned more 42 vehicles for the future (or the new Guarani).
AAV-7A1	United States	Armoured personnel carrier/Assault Amphibious	AAV-7A1 LVTP-7A1 LVTC-7A1 LVTR-7A1	39 09 02 02	Brazil plans to buy 26 additional AAV-7 assault amphibious vehicles, and to upgrade those it currently operates to the same RAM/RS standard. Planned more 78 vehicles for the future.
AV-VBL 4x4	Brazil	Light Armored Vehicle		03	Vehicle auxiliary support groups artillery rocket.

Artillery

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service<	Notes	Photo
Astros II	Brazil	Multiple Launch Rocket System	ASTROS FN	06	One battery being ordered. Two more in the future (one complete group: tree batteries).
M114	United States	Howitzer	M114A1	06	155mm. Study in progress for replacement by M777 howitzer.
L118 light gun	United Kingdom	Howitzer	L118	18	105mm. Planned to acquire 30 more.
Soltam K6	Israel	Mortar	K-6A3	06	120mm
M29 mortar	United States	Mortar	M29 A1	100	81mm
Brandt	France	Mortar	Brandt	?	60mm
Bofors L70	Sweden	Autocannon AA	Bofors 40 mm	06	40mm. Using the radar Bandvagn 206

Anti-aircraft missiles

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
Mistral	France	MBDA missile systems	Surface-to-air missile	24 systems	Using the radar Bandvagn 206
RBS 70	Sweden	MBDA missile systems	Surface-to-air missile	12 systems
Pantsir-S1	Russia		Surface-to-air missile	0	future acquisition in developing of 1 battery.

Radar

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
Saber Radar	Brazil	Saber M60	Air defense radar	01
Bandvagn 206	Sweden	B206	Radar	01	Using the MBDA missile systems

Unmanned aerial vehicle

Equipment	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes	Photo
Carcara UAV	Brazil	UAV		40
Carcara II	Brazil	UAV		02

Vehicles

Name	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes	Photo
Agrale Marruá	Light Utility Vehicle	450	Brazil		200px
Land Rover Defender	Light Utility Vehicle	257	United Kingdom
Land Rover Discovery	Administrative Vehicle	60	United Kingdom
Toyota Bandeirante	Light Utility Vehicle	270	Brazil
Unimog4x4 and 6x6	Truck	248	Germany
MBB 1720 4x4	Truck	200	Brazil
MBB 1725/42 4x4	Truck	122	Brazil
MBB LAK1418 4x4	Truck	?	Brazil
M35 Reo 6x6	Medium Truck	56	United States		200px
Volvo NL	Truck	?	Brazil

Motorcycle

Name	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes	Photo
Harley-Davidson Road King Police	Escort Motorcycle	?	United States	used by Battalion of Naval Police

Individual weapons and equipment

Pistols, assault rifles and other infantry equipment

Weapon	Origin	Type	QTD	Notes	Picture
M16A2	United States	Assault rifle	+12,000	Will be replaced by IMBEL IA2
M4	United States	Carbine	+500	Used by SOF. Will be replaced by IMBEL IA2 carbine. 269 more were ordered.
Taurus PT92	Brazil	Pistol	?	License-built Beretta 92 by Forjas Taurus.Designated as M975.
Glock 17	Austria	Pistol	+300	Used by SOF.
Taurus MT-12	Brazil	Submachine gun	1,900	SMG, license-built Beretta Model 12.Designated as M972.
Mini Uzi	Israel	Submachine gun	+400	Used by SOF.
Parker Hale M85	United Kingdom	Sniper rifle	?	Used by SOF.
PGM Hécate II	France	Anti-materiel rifle	?	Used by SOF.
FN M2HB	United States	Machine gun	?	Machine gun 12.7×99mm
MK19 Mod3	United States	Grenade Launcher 40×53mm	?	Used in some amphibious vehicles AAV-7
FN MAG	Belgium	Machine gun	2,000	Light Machine gun 7.62×51mm
FN MINIMI	Belgium	Light machine gun	399	Light Machine gun 5.56×45mm
AT4	Sweden	Anti-tank weapon	500+	Being replaced by IMBEL ALAC
ALAC	Brazil	Anti-tank weapon	100	Replacing the AT-4
BILL	Sweden	Anti-tank missile	16 systems	Being replaced by MSS-1.2
MSS-1.2	Brazil	Anti-tank missile	24 systems	Replacing the BILL

Historical equipment

Equipment	Origin	Employee year	QTD	Notes	Picture
EE-9 Cascavel	Brazil	1979-2000	06	Armoured car
EE-11 Urutu	Brazil	1976-2000	05	Armored personnel carrier
EE-34	Brazil	1970-1996	50	Pickup
EE-14	Brazil	1970-1999	?	Truck
DUKW	United States	1970-1987	34	Amphibious transport
Ford GPA	United States	1950-1985	?	Amphibious transport
Mosquefal	Brazil	1968-2000	?	Rifle
FN FAL	Belgium/Brazil	1970-2000	?	Battle rifle
Browning BAR	Belgium/United States	1945-1970	?	Battle rifle
Madsen machine gun	Denmark/Brazil	1946-1980	?	Light machine gun
INA Model 953	Brazil	1950-1990	?	Sub machine gun
Mekanika Uru	Brazil	1970-1990	?	Sub machine gun

See also

• Marines
• Naval infantry

External links

• Official website (in Portuguese only)
• Fleet Marine Force website (in Portuguese only)