On August 1, the Central Maintenance and Supply Battalion presented the restored Marder 1A2 Light Armored Combat Vehicle (VBC L) with the SAM Roland II system to Army Logistics Commander General Flávio Marcus Lancia Barbosa.
This restoration is part of a broader technological update within the Armed Forces, which includes the acquisition of four units from the Franco-German consortium Rheinmetall Landsysteme for the protection of the capital.
The Marder 1A2, equipped with a Mercedes Benz Diesel MTU M833 Ea-500 engine producing 591hp and two Roland II surface-to-air missile launchers, was a key component of Brazilian Anti-Aircraft Artillery until the mid-1990s, after which it became a historical exhibit.
The vehicle restored by the Central Maintenance and Supply Battalion (BCMS) is the only operable example remaining, having been previously kept as a static outdoor display. This restoration project posed a significant challenge to the Marechal Dutra Battalion, which meticulously restored the vehicle’s mechanization system to full operational status.
The restoration effort was a demanding task that required close cooperation between mechanics and maintenance managers. The team, led by Captain Alexandre Dal Osto Dos Santos and veteran Captain Lenildo Andrade de Lemos, with support from Second Lieutenant Gabriel Hilário Domingos Monteiro and the Maintenance Company, demonstrated exceptional technical expertise and intellectual preparation.
Given the vehicle’s long exposure to the elements as a historical display, the maintenance process was particularly complex, requiring a high level of precision and ingenuity to overcome the scarcity of repair parts. Despite these challenges, the team’s dedication ensured the successful recovery of the vehicle.
The restored Marder 1A2 was inspected and approved by the Logistics Commander, symbolizing the essential role of maintenance logistics. This project underscores the motto displayed on the Maintenance Pavilion: “Here, the spirit of maintenance is cultivated.”
