Chinese troops are participating for the first time in Brazil’s annual military exercise, Operation Formosa, training alongside American soldiers. The event, which began on September 4, is one of Latin America’s largest military drills, drawing approximately 3,000 personnel from various countries. It is scheduled to run until September 10 near the city of Formosa, Brazil.
Operation Formosa has been held annually since 1988 and regularly includes foreign military contingents. This year, it includes troops from Argentina, France, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Republic of Congo, and South Africa. For the first time, the United States and China have both contributed active military personnel to the exercise. According to reports, the U.S. Navy has sent 54 troops, while China’s Navy is represented by 33 personnel.
The drills are designed to simulate amphibious operations, including warship attacks on hostile coastal regions and beach landings. The Brazilian defense ministry emphasized the use of live ammunition in all weapons during these exercises, aimed at promoting greater interoperability among the Brazilian armed forces and their international counterparts. The Navy, which coordinates the drills, views the participation of the U.S. and China as an opportunity for enhanced military cooperation with both nations.
It marks the first instance of joint military involvement between the two countries since 2016 when China last took part in the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (Rimpac). China has since been excluded from Rimpac over concerns about its actions in the South China Sea.
Brazil’s defense ties with China have expanded in recent years, including collaborations in academic and military training. In 2015, Chinese troops trained at Brazil’s Jungle Warfare Training Centre, and bilateral military exchanges have continued since then.
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