This Thursday, the Federal Senate approved the complementary bill (PLP 204/2025) that allocates R$30 billion for strategic investments in National Defense, outside the fiscal framework, that is, without counting towards the public spending limit. The text, authored by senator Carlos Portinho (PL-RJ), received 57 votes in favor and 4 against, and is now being analyzed by the Chamber of Deputies.
The proposal foresees the release of R$5 billion per year, for six years, with resources aimed exclusively at modernizing the Armed Forces — Army, Navy and Brazilian Air Force. Among the benefited projects are the Integrated Border Monitoring System (Sisfron), the development of the Brazilian nuclear submarine, the renewal of the Gripen combat aircraft fleet and the modernization of ships and tactical cruise missile systems.
The approved text is a substitute presented by the government leader in Congress, senator Randolfe Rodrigues (PT-AP), who incorporated suggestions from the Armed Forces.
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— PLP 204 aims to ensure that strategic projects for National Defense have at least R$30 billion for investments in defense in the coming years — stated Randolfe.
For the author of the original proposal, Carlos Portinho, the measure will allow more predictability and efficiency in the execution of military programs, avoiding interruptions due to lack of resources. He cited the case of Gripen fighters, Swedish combat aircraft purchased by Brazil, as an example of the losses caused by budget delays:
— Of the Gripen planes, purchased under Dilma’s government, which have not yet been delivered, just from interest on these contracts, which are being renegotiated every year due to lack of payment, we have already lost two aircraft. They are already equivalent to the price of two aircraft. So what’s less worse? What is necessary is to guarantee this budget and for us to honor the commitments made by the defense industry — said Portinho.
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Despite recognizing the importance of the Armed Forces, opposition senators criticized the expansion of tax exceptions. The opposition leader, Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), told the Senado agency:
— The rule is: the established fiscal target is not met. (…) In this case it is not up to us to discuss: we have to highlight the importance of the Armed Forces, which, in fact, need to be well equipped, motivated and well paid — he declared.
Parliamentarians such as Astronauta Marcos Pontes (PL-SP) and Hamilton Mourão (Republicanos-RS) defended the approval. Mourão highlighted that the proposal strengthens the State’s vision of defense policy:
— The consultation with the government was excellent, which understood that this is not a government project, it is a project of the Brazilian State (…). If you have the Armed Forces, you have to spend on them — he said.
