Chinese troops to join Brazil’s military drills with US forces

BRASILIA – Chinese troops will take part for the first time in Brazil’s annual military exercises this week that also include US forces, the Brazilian Navy said on Sept 10.

But Pentagon spokesman Pete Nguyen said that US and Chinese forces would not be training together at the Brazil’s “Operation Formosa” exercises.

“While the PRC are also present at the exercise, US troops are not training alongside or with the PRC,” Major Nguyen said. The PRC, or People’s Republic of China, is the country’s official name.

China sent observers in 2023 to the Operation Formosa exercises, but will have troops on the ground in 2024, the Brazilian Navy – which coordinates the drills – said in a statement. US troops participated in 2023 as well.

“In Operation Formosa 2024 we have for the first time the participation of portions of troops made up of both friendly nations,” the navy said, of the two superpowers present in 2024.

It did not detail the size of their contingents.

The Brazilian military will deploy 3,000 troops in the three-day exercises starting on Sept 11, and they will train using aircraft, tanks, armoured and amphibious vehicles, artillery and missile and rocket launchers, it said.

The exercises, which use live ammunition, take place outside the town on Formosa, located 80km north-east of Brazil’s capital, Brasilia.

Invited military personnel participate in workshops to exchange experiences, the navy said, and observers from eight countries will attend the exercises, including Argentina, France, Italy, Pakistan and South Africa.

Major Nguyen said US Marines were at Formosa only to train with their Brazilian partners.

“By working side by side with our Brazilian counterparts, we are enhancing our collective ability to respond to regional security challenges,” he said. REUTERS