According to foreign media reports, the Brazilian Army recently announced the mass deployment plan of the "Centaurus II" fire support vehicle, which is an important part of its modernization upgrade plan. According to the plan, 96 Centaur II fire support vehicles will be delivered in batches to multiple brigade level units of the Brazilian Army starting from 2027 to enhance the combat capabilities of mechanized units in key areas. The Centaur II fire support vehicle was developed by the Italian Iveco Ottomerala consortium, with a top speed of 105 kilometers per hour and a maximum range of 800 kilometers. It can maintain strong strategic and tactical maneuverability in Brazil's diverse geographical environment. Its 8 × 8 wheel design provides operational flexibility, reduces logistics burden, and enables rapid deployment through land or air transportation. The main weapon of this vehicle is a 120mm smoothbore gun, which can fire NATO standard ammunition and has firepower comparable to main battle tanks. At the same time, the vehicle is equipped with a battlefield management system, advanced communication network, and modern optoelectronic equipment, possessing strong battlefield situational awareness and precise strike capabilities. The deployment plan shows that Brazil prioritizes the security needs of the northern border. The 1st Jungle Infantry Brigade stationed in Boavista, Roraima State, will become the first unit equipped with Centaur II fire support vehicles, receiving a total of 12 armored vehicles of this type to respond to potential security threats in border areas. The 11th Mechanized Infantry Brigade stationed in Campinas, S ã o Paulo state and the 15th Mechanized Infantry Brigade stationed in Cascair, Paran á state will each receive 12 armored vehicles of this type to enhance the defense capability of Brazil's southern defense line. Subsequent deployments will cover mechanized cavalry brigades, with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd mechanized cavalry brigades each receiving 12 vehicles, which will be assigned to their respective 2nd, 8th, and 7th mechanized cavalry regiments; The 4th Mechanized Cavalry Brigade will receive 24 vehicles, which will be assigned to the 11th and 17th Mechanized Cavalry Regiments. This deployment strategy ensures that equipment coverage extends from the northern Amazon Basin to the southern border of Brazil. In addition to the deployment scope, the plan also outlines a detailed implementation schedule. By the end of this year, the Brazilian Army will receive technical manuals and training documents in Portuguese; In 2026, specialized training will be conducted for drivers, gunners, and maintenance personnel; In August 2027, the first batch of 7 Centaur II fire support vehicles will be received, and large-scale field tests will be conducted under the leadership of the Logistics Command, laying the foundation for their full integration into the combat system by 2028. From now until the large-scale deployment of Centaurus II in 2028, the Brazilian Army will advance progressive training as planned, starting with training based on platoon level combat units and gradually expanding to squadron scale collaborative operations to ensure that this type of vehicle can fully utilize its performance and establish a collaborative combat system when it is fully deployed. The installation of the Centaur II fire support vehicle will enhance the mobility, firepower, and protection level of the Brazilian Army's combat units, thereby strengthening the country's ability to respond to regional security challenges. However, this modernization path that relies on imported equipment may lead to a certain dependence of the Brazilian Army on external supply in equipment maintenance, technological upgrades, and other aspects, affecting the development of equipment autonomy. At the same time, in order for new equipment to fully exert its effectiveness, it is necessary to overcome difficulties such as the adaptation of personnel skills and equipment, timely troubleshooting of technical failures, etc. The actual combat effectiveness still needs time to be verified. (New Society)