Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called on South Africa to deepen defence cooperation between the two BRICS partners, warning that emerging economies must strengthen their military self-sufficiency or risk vulnerability to foreign aggression.
Speaking at a press conference in Brasília on Monday alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, Lula said the two nations should combine their defence capabilities rather than depend on arms imports from traditional Western suppliers.
“I don’t know if comrade Ramaphosa realises that if we don’t prepare ourselves in terms of defence, one day someone will invade us,” Lula told reporters.
The Brazilian leader’s comments come amid heightened global tensions, with fellow BRICS member Iran facing sustained military strikes from the United States and Israel.
Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that a fresh wave of attacks on Tehran killed at least 40 people, bringing the total civilian death toll to over 1,300, according to officials.
Closer Ties, Less Dependency
Lula specifically urged joint development of defence and aviation technology between Pretoria and Brasília. “We need to combine our potential and see what we can produce together, build together.
We don’t need to keep buying from foreign arms suppliers,” he said.
Ramaphosa acknowledged South Africa’s defence sector has fallen behind, noting that Brazil is “much more advanced” in both defence and aviation. “We have a lot to learn from each other and a lot to show as well,” he added.
Both leaders have publicly condemned the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, calling for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic resolution.
Regional Fallout
Lula has also sharply criticised Washington’s actions closer to home, saying the United States crossed “an unacceptable line” with its recent military operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Tensions across Latin America are escalating following American strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, alongside a US-imposed oil embargo on Cuba.
Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump offered Latin American governments US missile support to target senior cartel figures—a proposal that has raised concerns about sovereignty and foreign intervention.
BRICS Under Pressure
The push for South-South defence collaboration comes as BRICS faces mounting scrutiny from Washington. Trump has repeatedly characterised the bloc as “anti-American,” though member states maintain the grouping is not directed against any other nation.
Founded in 2006, BRICS now comprises ten members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
The expansion reflects growing appetite among emerging economies for alternative frameworks to Western-dominated institutions, though defence coordination among members remains limited.