avibras
Our history
50 years of innovation and pioneering activities
Avibras occupies an outstanding position in the history of the Brazilian aerospace sector as a pioneer in the construction of aircraft and the development and manufacture of special vehicles for military and civilian purposes. Fully independent, with its own cutting edge technology, the company's high degree of specialization and cross disciplinary focus distinguish it in Brazil and on the global scene as a system house.
Falcão, the first aircraft manufactured in São José dos Campos
1960-1969
Foundation
In 1961, engineers from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) – including João Verdi Carvalho Leite – founded Avibras, one of the first Brazilian companies to serve the aerospace sector. Verdi was distinguished by his intelligence, perseverance, determination and his profound business vision. He was known as a true citizen of the world and a visionary who attained the status of an icon in technology and innovation in Brazil.
Aircraft
The first projects were the Alvorada aircraft, a training model, and the Falcão, the first airplane manufactured in São José dos Campos (SP). Both were made from composite materials (fibers) derived from the space race, a global technological innovation at that time.
Space
While still in its first decade in operation, Avibras participated in the Brazilian Space Program, developing a solid perchlorated composite propellant for Sonda I, the first Brazilian space rocket, applied in atmospheric and meteorological studies.
Rockets
At the end of the 1960s, the company started to develop surface-to-surface rockets and missiles for the Brazilian Army, in addition to air-to-ground rocket systems and helicopter armaments for the Brazilian Air Force and for the Naval Aviation arm of the Brazilian Navy.
1970-1979
Communications
In the 1970s, Avibras started manufacturing and assembling 10-meter diameter parabolic antennas which, at the time, were responsible for a major part of the telecommunications coverage in the country by Telebras. The advantage was the assembly system, which enabled them to be transported and assembled in remote locations.
Vehicles
Avibras diversified its production in the 1970s, developing and manufacturing materials handling and transportation systems, such as road and rail vehicles, container handling equipment, electric drive systems for trolleybuses and other special purpose vehicles.
1980-1989
Expansion
The 1980s were marked by a growth in exports, by the development of new defense systems and Avibras's expansion with the opening of new facilities and partnerships with associated companies to develop new products, systems and services in the civilian and military areas.
ASTROS
With the development and start up of exports of the artillery saturation rocket system (ASTROS) family in 1983, Avibras made a huge qualitative and quantitative leap forward.
Fundação Avibras
The Fundação Avibras was created in 1983 based on the motto “Education and Work” to provide young people from low-income families with study scholarships.
With this institution, the founder João Verdi Carvalho Leite innovated once again, providing young people with the opportunity to grow, develop and work towards creating a better country for all.
In its first decade in operation, Avibras participated in the Brazilian Space Program
1990-1999
Recognition
The permanent pursuit of technological innovation and engineering excellence were Avibras's most remarkable attributes, recognized by its partners in project development, by the Brazilian Armed Forces and by government financing agencies.
2000-2009
Impulse
The resumption of growth in the Brazilian defense industry from 2007 provided Avibras with a new impulse. The company strategy of maintaining a specialized and qualified labor force enabled it to meet the significant growth in orders, and consequently production, in a short space of time.
João Verdi Carvalho Leite, founder of Avibras, with the ASTROS, the company's biggest commercial success
2010-2016
Social Responsibility
In 2010, Avibras supplied the Brazilian Army with the Guará patrol vehicle to assist in its peace mission in Haiti, demonstrating its importance on the global scene.
Industrial capacity
The result of a bold, enterprising project, the new Avibras armored vehicle plant came into operation at Installation 2 in Jacareí, in December 2014. With the objective of boosting the company's technological potential and productivity and reducing costs, Installation 2, which was already the biggest munitions and missile factory in Latin America, was transformed into the most modern wheeled armored vehicle manufacturing unit in Brazil.
Technological potential
2016 was marked by innovation with the launch of the prototype of the Guará 4WS 4X4 Light Armored Vehicle on Wheels, completely designed by Avibras. The vehicle incorporates all the technology employed by the company in its highly successful military projects, diversifying production and serving new market niches with state-of-the-art technology conceived, developed and tested in Brazil.
Innovative management
A profound transformation in the company's governance and management, based on strategic planning, resulted in the "construction of the future" driving new business opportunities, improved financial performance and stronger relations with customers and other strategic stakeholders for the company, as well as growth for employees and for the organization as a whole.
Record
The great demand for the systems offered by Avibras, strong relations with international clients and the resumption of close links with the domestic market multiplied company revenues by 8.7 times over a five-year period, exceeding R$ 1.39 billion.
Overview of the Defense Industry
The defense industry is key for the nation as a critical component of any national mobilization effort in response to a threat to society. It also leverages technological development, generating highly skilled jobs, productivity and high added value services.
The development and strengthening of the Industrial Defense Base (IDB) are fundamental for Brazil, which is rich in human and natural resources and seeks an ever greater projection on the international political and economic scene.
In this context, Avibras is assuming a key role on the global scene, offering innovative solutions in Aeronautics, Space, Electronics, Vehicles and Defense.
Ministry of Defense certification as a "Strategic Defense Company" (EED in the Portuguese acronym) also reinforces Avibras's position in the industrial defense base. Considered a benchmark in the sector, the seal enables companies classified as strategic to obtain competitive advantages in commercializing their products to the armed forces or to overseas buyers.
This certification entails requirements that include majority control in Brazilian hands, Brazilian ownership of technology and the commitment to maintain production in the country. Another requirement is that the companies manufacture or are engaged in the production cycle of strategic defense products.
Each certified company is entitled to tax benefits that reduce production costs, making it more competitive in the domestic and overseas markets.
Its pioneering spirit, past successes and excellent products have given Avibras a strong competitive edge and a privileged position in relation to the Brazilian armed forces, consolidating the company as a partner in important defense programs.