BAE Systems partners with Knightec Group Brazil on vehicle component
BAE Systems Hägglunds – the Swedish makers of the BvS10 and CV90 military vehicles – has begun working with Knightec Group Brazil (formerly Semcon Brazil), transferring technology and creating jobs in Resende, Rio de Janeiro.
Above: The BvS10 armoured all-terrain vehicle.
Courtesy BAE Systems
Knightec Group Brazil will provide advanced engineering expertise to the BAE Systems supply chain, based on their extensive experience in the automotive sector.
Through this initial pilot programme, Knightec Group is developing new conceptual designs for gear housings for the BvS10 Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicle, with a focus on production cost optimisation and improved design performance.
This could help BAE Systems to scale production further given recent contract successes in multiple countries, creating a solid foundation for future capacity growth and continued development of more complex designs over time. The pilot offers the potential to deliver more business for Knightec Group and enhanced production speed for BAE Systems and its customers in the future.
Lars Pettersson, engineering director at BAE Systems Hägglunds said: “We are excited to work with Knightec Group in Brazil. By establishing shared ways of working and aligned processes early on, we aim to create a solid foundation that will not only support future growth but also enable the ongoing development of more complex designs as our programme evolves.”
Above: Computer rendering of a bevel gear unit casting.
Courtesy BAE Systems
BAE Systems Hägglunds has a long and successful relationship with Knightec, which merged with Semcon in 2024 to form Knightec Group. The intention now is to extend and build upon this well established and successful relationship with Knightec Group in Europe, into Brazil.
Fabricio Campos, country manager, Knightec Group Brazil said: “We are proud to begin this programme with BAE Systems in Brazil.
“This collaboration represents more than a single opportunity — it is about building local industrial capability, strengthening engineering competence, and supporting the development of a sustainable defence ecosystem in the country. Together, we are laying the groundwork for long-term growth and future programmes in Brazil.”
BAE Systems’ heritage companies built ships for the Brazilian Navy as far back as 1908 and has strengthened its relationship further with Brazil since then, by providing equipment such as the M113 and M109 for the Army, the Hawker Siddeley C-91 and aircraft systems for the Air Force and Assault Amphibious Vehicles for the Marines and the NAM Atlântico and the Amazonas class warships for the Navy.
Marco Caffe, director general of BAE Systems of Brazil said: “BAE Systems has been working with Brazil for more than 100 years, delivering protection, partnership and prosperity. Over the years we have provided military capability to all branches of the Brazilian Armed Forces together with training for both military and civilian support teams.
"We have an ambition to do more in Brazil in the future, together with our industrial partners here. For example, should we be chosen to supply the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle to our military, we would build them in Brazil for Brazil. The permissions for export controls are already in place for us to do so and we stand ready to deliver for our nation.”
The BvS10 family of vehicles is currently operated by Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, with an order in place from the United States. Currently 1,200 are in service and more than 650 more on order.