Brazil Navy gears up for new UN peace missions
The Brazilian Navy is conducting training for peace operations this week between Oct. 17–21, with an emphasis on the new capabilities demanded by the United Nations (UN).
At the Naval Complex on Ilha do Governador, an island district in northern Rio de Janeiro, on Wednesday (Oct 19), the training was open to the public, who could watch the activities of the Quick Response Force and the Explosive Disposal Unit.
The scenario used for the Quick Response Force was based on the evolution of the current situation in Haiti, currently facing a humanitarian catastrophe, the UN reported. Activities included the landing of military personnel from amphibious vehicles, identification and deactivation of explosive artifacts, and the evacuation of civilians.
The commander of the Fleet Marine Force, Vice Admiral Carlos Chagas, pointed out that the program is vital for the Navy, especially for the marines, who must be ready for quick deployment. “One of the tasks is to join peace operations. For this, we have to be prepared for the demands that the scenario presents us with. It is up to us, as a ready-deployment body, to be always ready when the country needs us.”
The Quick Response Force received the UN level three certification in April this year to operate in the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System, which spearheads the peace missions. This is the highest UN certification. As it stands today, the Brazilian group is the only one available in the world for deployment with this level.
The Explosive Disposal Unit was approved by the UN earlier this month as level one—also the first Brazilian unit to be given this capacity.
The last occasions on which the country sent troops were the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), May 2004–Oct. 2017, with 36 thousand military personnel, and the Maritime Task Force of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), Jan. 2011–Dec. 2020, with 4 thousand agents.
