Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has urged South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to deepen defence cooperation between the two countries, warning that stronger military preparedness is necessary to prevent potential foreign threats.
Speaking during Ramaphosa’s visit to Brasília, Lula stressed the need for both nations to combine their technological and industrial capacities in order to strengthen their defence sectors. He argued that developing joint military capabilities would reduce reliance on foreign arms suppliers.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that Brazil currently holds an advantage in areas such as defence technology and aviation, adding that both countries have much to learn from each other as they explore new forms of cooperation.
Defence ministers from both nations were scheduled to meet to discuss a potential cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening strategic ties between the two countries.
Lula also emphasized that South America sees itself as a region of peace, noting that no country on the continent possesses nuclear weapons, and that defence policies should therefore focus primarily on deterrence rather than aggression.
Both leaders have also voiced criticism of recent international conflicts, particularly the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions affecting global security dynamics.
Brazil and South Africa are key members of the BRICS group of emerging economies, which also includes China, Russia and Iran, and increasingly positions itself as a platform for cooperation among major developing nations.
Source: TRT Africa
