Lula Urges South Africa to Strengthen Defense Cooperation

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen defense cooperation and develop military self-reliance. Both leaders, critical of US and Israeli actions in Iran, plan to formalize a defense agreement to boost security and collaboration as BRICS members.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday called on his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, to strengthen defense cooperation between their nations, emphasizing the need for both countries to be prepared against potential foreign threats. Lula warned that without proper defense measures, both Brazil and South Africa could be vulnerable to invasion, highlighting the importance of building their own defense capacities rather than relying heavily on foreign arms suppliers.
The two leaders have also been outspoken critics of the ongoing war involving Iran, which is being carried out by United States and Israel. Lula stressed that developing nations must work together to create and strengthen their own defense industries, arguing that collaboration between Brazil and South Africa could help both countries produce advanced military equipment domestically and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
During the discussions, Lula questioned whether Ramaphosa fully recognized the risks of inadequate defense preparation, warning that nations failing to invest in military readiness might face invasion in the future. He proposed that Brazil and South Africa combine their industrial and technological capacities to jointly develop military and security equipment. Lula highlighted the potential for both countries to collaborate in areas such as aviation, weapons manufacturing, and other defense technologies, creating a stronger strategic position for the two nations.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged that Brazil currently has a more advanced defense and aviation sector than South Africa. He noted, however, that the exchange of expertise could be mutually beneficial, emphasizing the importance of learning from each other while also sharing South Africa’s own knowledge and capabilities. Both leaders agreed that collaboration could strengthen not only their individual nations but also regional security.
As part of the visit, the defense ministers of both countries were scheduled to meet to formalize a cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing military collaboration. Lula further underscored that South America presents itself as a region committed to peace, noting that countries in the region do not possess nuclear or atomic weapons and that their defense strategies are largely based on deterrence rather than aggression. He stressed that maintaining strong defense capabilities is essential to prevent potential conflicts and ensure the security of their populations.
Brazil and South Africa are members of the BRICS group of emerging economies, which also includes China, Russia, and Iran. The bloc aims to strengthen economic, political, and strategic cooperation among major developing nations, creating a platform for collaboration on issues such as defense, trade, and development.
In addition to defense issues, Lula criticized the United States’ actions in Latin America, particularly the intervention that led to the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He described the US actions as crossing an unacceptable line in regional affairs. Before Maduro’s removal, the US military had conducted multiple air strikes targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump offered to assist Latin American leaders in combating drug cartels, proposing the use of missile strikes against high-ranking drug trafficking figures operating in the region. Brazilian media also reported that Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone discussion regarding the potential designation of Brazil’s two largest criminal factions as terrorist organizations. However, the foreign ministry did not confirm that the conversation had taken place.
In 2025, Brazil’s political opposition attempted to pass legislation to classify the country’s two major criminal organizations, Comando Vermelho (Red Command) and First Capital Command (PCC), as terrorist groups. The effort ultimately failed, but it reflected ongoing concern about the influence and operations of organized crime within the country and the need for stronger national security measures.
Lula’s discussions with Ramaphosa and the planned cooperation between their defense ministries underscore a broader strategy among BRICS members to strengthen mutual security, promote self-reliance in military capabilities, and reduce dependence on foreign arms suppliers, while also positioning themselves as proactive players on the global stage.