Brazilian Marine Corps

The Brazilian Marine Corps (CFN; Portuguese: Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais, lit.'Corps of Naval Riflemen'),[1] is the land combat branch of the Brazilian Navy.The Corps is specialised in amphibious warfare.

Brazilian Marine Corps
Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais
The seal of the Brazilian Marine Corps
Founded1808; 216 years ago (1808)
Country Brazil
TypeNaval infantry
Size18,000
Part of Brazilian Navy
General-Command HQRio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nickname(s)CFN
Motto(s)Adsumus (English: Here we are)
ColorsRed and white   
AnniversariesMarch 7
EngagementsInvasion of Cayenne (1809)
Banda Oriental Conquest (1816)
War of Independence (1821–1824)
Confederation of the Equator(1824)
Cisplatine War(1825–1828)
Ragamuffin War(1835–1845)
Platine War(1851–1852)
Uruguayan War(1864–1865)
Paraguayan War(1864–1870)
Naval Revolt(1893-1894)
Araguaia guerrilla (1972-1974)
Operation São Francisco (2014)
U.N. missions
Haiti (2004-2017)
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Commander of the Navy Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen
Commandant General of the Marine Corps Admiral Carlos Chagas Vianna Braga
Insignia
Flag
Emblem

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 corps Garrison Cap (Gorro de Fita).

History

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 January 14, 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

Brazilian Marines in formation, 2021.

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 Amazon 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 that 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 will 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), literally Squadron Riflemen Force) includes the expeditionary component of the corps and 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 "Humaitá" 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),
Amphibian operations with CLAnfs.
    • 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 Raiders, 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 Marine Base (Base de Fuzileiros Navais do Rio Meriti (BFNRM)), located in Duque de Caxias (RJ)
  • ships detachments

Regional Forces

"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. GptFNs are small-sized Marine battalions.

Three of the GptFNs have been expanded into Batalhoes de Operacoes Ribeirinhas (Riverine Operations Battalions) or BtlOpRibs consisting of a Command and Services Company, 3 Marine Companies, and a Combat Support Company.

Amphibious operation in river.

Music

Musicians of the Marine Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps

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

Central Band of the Marine Corps

The Central Band of the Brazilian Marine Corps is the concert band unit of the CFN. Also known by its other name, the Symphonic Band of the CFN, it is the premier band of the CFN and is the senior most concert band in the armed forces. Their performances are marked by a balanced mix of popular and classical, as well as instrumental and sung songs. It is composed of two officers (the Director of Music and Bandmaster) and 118 military musicians who are NCOs. The band was created in the 1970s and belongs to the Band Company of the Naval Battalion, located at São José Fortress on Cobras Island, Rio de Janeiro.[3]

Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps

The Pipes, Drum and Bugle Corps is the official marching band of the CFN and one of the only field bands in service in the Brazilian Navy. Although it is based in Rio de Janeiro, it has taken part in all parades held in the federal capital of Brasilia, since 1960. It is notable for its use of the bagpipe, bugles, marching percussion, and the Turkish crescent in its ranks. The BMPDC has been deployed to many countries in its 100-year history, such as the United Kingdom to take part in the Coronation of Elizabeth II and France in 2005 for the Bastille Day military parade. It has also taken part in many domestic events such as the 2011 Military World Games and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The pipe portion of the BMPDC has been trained by pipe units and institutions in the United Kingdom such as the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming.

Methods

Brazilian Marines Corps SOF

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 includes tanks, field artillery, antiaircraft artillery, combat engineering, communications and electronic warfare.

Training

New recruits to the Corps 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 simulations, and when they passed all these then they achieve primary qualification as soldiers of the Corps and thus capable to fulfill the missions and responsibilities assigned to the Corps.

Uniforms

The Brazilian Marines wear the variation of the Brazilian Lizard Pattern, known as navy lizard.Vests: 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.

Ranks

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officersOfficer cadet
Brazilian Navy[4]
AlmiranteAlmirante de esquadraVice-almiranteContra-almiranteCapitão de mar e guerraCapitão de fragataCapitão de corvetaCapitão-tenentePrimeiro-tenenteSegundo-tenente
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
 Brazilian Marine Corps
Suboficial fuzileiro navalPrimeiro-sargento fuzileiro navalSegundo-sargento fuzileiro navalTerceiro-sargento fuzileiro navalCabo fuzileiro navalSoldado fuzileiro naval

Gallery

Main Equipment

Light tank

EquipmentOriginTypeVersionsIn serviceNotesPhoto
SK-105 Kürassier  AustriaLight tankSK 105A2S
4KH7FA
16
1
To be replaced by 2032 with 8×8 armoured fighting vehicles, a tracked vehicle, or a mixed fleet of both. [5]

Only around half of the acquired tanks remain in service.

Infantry fighting vehicles

EquipmentOriginTypeVersionsIn serviceNotesPhoto
AAV-7A1  United StatesArmoured personnel carrier/Assault AmphibiousAAV-7A1
LVTP-7A1
LVTC-7A1
LVTR-7A1
21
22
3
3
To be replaced [6]
M113  United StatesArmored personnel carrierM113A1
M125A1
M577A1
XM806E1
M113A1G
24
2
2
1
1
Mowag Piranha 8x8   SwitzerlandArmoured personnel carrier/reconnaissancePiranha-APC
Piranha-COM
Piranha-ARV
Piranha-AMB
25
2
2
1
Oshkosh L-ATV  United StatesLight tactical vehicleJLTV812 on order, deliveries from 2022

Artillery

EquipmentOriginTypeVersionsIn serviceNotesPhoto
ASTROS  BrazilMultiple Launch Rocket SystemAV-LMU
AV-RMD
AV-PCC
AV-MET
AV-OFVE
6
3
1
1
1
Known as ASTROS FN to Marine Corps
M114  United StatesHowitzerM114A16155mm. Study in progress for replacement by the M777 howitzer.
L118 light gun  United KingdomHowitzerL11818105mm.
Soltam K6  IsraelMortarK-6A36120mm
M29 mortar  United StatesMortarM29 A110081mm
Brandt  FranceMortarBrandt?60mm
Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70  SwedenAutocannon AABofors 40 mm640mm. Using the radar Bandvagn 206

Anti-aircraft missiles

EquipmentOriginTypeVersionsIn serviceNotesPhoto
Mistral  FranceAnti-aircraft missilesSurface-to-air missile24 systemsUsing the radar Bandvagn 206
RBS 70  SwedenAnti-aircraft missilesMan-portable air-defense system12 systemsUsing the radar Saber M-60

Radar

EquipmentOriginTypeVersionsIn serviceNotesPhoto
Saber Radar  BrazilSaber M-60Air defense radar1
Bandvagn 206 with Giraffe radar 50AT  SwedenBV-206D tractorAir defense radar1

Vehicles

NameTypeQuantityOriginNotesPhoto
Agrale MarruáLight Utility Vehicle450  Brazil
Land Rover DefenderLight Utility Vehicle257  United Kingdom
Land Rover WolfLight Utility Vehicle100  United Kingdom
Land Rover DiscoveryAdministrative Vehicle60  United Kingdom
Toyota BandeiranteLight Utility Vehicle270  Brazil
Unimog 4x4 and 6x6Truck248  Germany
Unimog 5000 4x4Truck6  Germany90 on order
MBB 1720 4x4Truck200  Brazil
MBB 1725/42 4x4Truck122  Brazil
MBB LAK1418 4x4Truck120  Brazil
M35 Reo 6x6Medium Truck56  United States

Unmanned aerial vehicle

NameTypeQuantityOriginNotesPhoto
Carcara UAVUAV40  Brazil
Carcara IIUAV2  Brazil
Horus FT-100UAV2  Brazil
Aeromot K1AMtarget drone?  Brazil/  United Kingdom
Meggitt Bansheetarget drone?  United Kingdom
MavicUAV+20  China

Motorcycle

NameTypeQuantityOriginNotesPhoto
Harley-Davidson Road King PoliceEscort Motorcycle?  United Statesused by Battalion of Naval Police

Individual weapons and equipment

Pistols

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage
 AustriaGlock 179×19mm (Used by SOF)Semi-automatic pistol
 BrazilTaurus PT-929×19mm (Standard issue)Semi-automatic pistol
 BrazilTaurus PT24/79×19mm (Used by SOF)Semi-automatic pistol

Submachine guns

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage
 Italy/  BrazilBeretta M129×19mm (Standard isse) (Known as MT-12)Submachine gun
 GermanyMP59×19mm (Used by SOF)Submachine gun
 IsraelMini-Uzi9×19mm (Used by SOF)Machine pistol

Rifles

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage
 United StatesM16A2/A45.56×45mmAssault rifle
 United StatesM45.56×45mmCarbine
 United KingdomParker Hale M857.62×51mmSniper rifle
 FrancePGM Hécate II12.7×99mmAnti-material rifle

Machine guns

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage
 United StatesM2 Browning machine gun12.7×99mmHeavy machine gun
 Belgium/  BrazilFN MAG M9717.62×51mmGeneral-purpose machine gun
 BelgiumFN Minimi5.56×45mmLight machine gun

Grenade launchers

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage
 United StatesMk1940 mmAutomatic grenade launcher
 United StatesM203 grenade launcher40×46mmGrenade launcher

Anti-armor

OriginModelCaliberTypeImage
 SwedenAT484mm (To be replaced by the national ALAC)Anti-tank recoilless gun
 BrazilALAC (Arma Leve Anticarro)84mm (Going into mass production in 2012. Replacing the AT4)Anti-tank weapon
 SwedenBILL130mmAnti-tank missile
 BrazilMSS-1.2130mmAnti-tank missile

Historical equipment

EquipmentOriginEmployee yearQTDNotesPicture
EE-9 Cascavel  Brazil1979–20006Armoured car
EE-11 Urutu  Brazil1976–20005Armored personnel carrier
EE-34  Brazil1970–199650Pickup truck
EE-14  Brazil1970–1999?Truck
DUKW  United States1970–198734Amphibious transport
Ford GPA  United States1950–1985?Amphibious transport
Mosquefal  Brazil1968–2000?Service rifle
FN FAL  Belgium/  Brazil1970–2000?Battle rifle
Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)  Belgium/  United States1945–1970?Automatic rifle
Madsen machine gun  Denmark/  Brazil1946–1980?Light machine gun
INA Model 953  Brazil1950–1990?Sub machine gun
Mekanika Uru  Brazil1970–1990?Sub machine gun

See also

References

External links