Odebrecht creates new company to strengthen the defense area
Valor Econômico
Odebrecht announced yesterday the creation of a new company to deal with its businesses in the area of defense and security, focusing on the development of integrated systems for public security and national security. According to the President of the new company, which will run under the name Odebrecht Defesa e Tecnologia, Roberto Simões, with that the group strengthens its operations in the area of defense and security, through the management and implementation of large undertakings. The most recent of them was the acquisition of missile manufacturer Mectron, based in São José dos Campos.
Since the end of 2008, however, Odebrecht had already started its actions in the defense market as it was subcontracted by the French DCNS to integrate the project of implementation of the shipyard and naval base complex of the Navy, in Rio de Janeiro. Together with DCNS, Odebrecht was responsible for the construction and operation of four conventional submarines and a nuclear one.
In May last year, Odebrecht also entered into a joint venture with the European company Cassidian, defense arm of the EADS group and four months later it created Copa Gestão em Defesa (Defense Management), to manage its businesses in the area of defense and render consulting services. Initially, Copa featured the minority interest of two companies, Penta Prospectiva Estratégica and Atech, specialized in providing technological solutions and in the development and integration of strategic systems.
The joint venture with Cassidian, according to the President of Odebrecht Defesa e Tecnologia, foresees the creation of a Brazilian industrial base to cater to large projects that will take place within the sphere of the National Defense Strategy. "We are ready to invest in Brazil, but everything will depend on the interest of the client in the development of new technologies in the country". The facilities of Mectron, in São José dos Campos, according to Simões, should be used for the development of new projects of Odebrecht in the area of defense.
Regarding the investments to be made by the new company in 2011, the President of Odebrecht Defesa e Tecnologia said it is still not possible to make a forecast since many projects are under negotiation. The Executive said the company has great interest in taking part in the program of development of the new Embraer military freighter, KC-390, and that it is already involved in the project of the EC725 helicopters Eurocopter and Helibras will provide the Brazilian Armed Forces.