From strategic lessons to national capability: defence governance, technological human capital, and the Defence Industrial Base in Brazil

Abstract

This article examines how defence governance can contribute to transforming contemporary strategic lessons and emerging technological demands into sustainable national defence capabilities in Brazil. The central argument is that the Brazilian challenge is not merely to identify critical capabilities, such as unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, cyber defence, resilient logistics, air defence, coastal defence and strategic deterrence. Rather, the decisive challenge lies in institutionalising governance mechanisms capable of prioritising, funding, monitoring and coordinating these capabilities through the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces, the Defence Industrial Base, universities, research centres and the productive sector. The article adopts a defence governance perspective based on leadership, strategy and control, with emphasis on portfolio governance, risk management, assurance, performance indicators, interagency coordination and qualified civil engagement. Methodologically, it combines documentary analysis, selective literature review and institutional interpretation of contemporary trends in defence, technology and innovation. Its main contribution is to propose a governance-of-technological-capabilities framework for Brazil, connecting strategic diagnosis, technological human capital, industrial innovation, risk management, institutional coordination and accountability. The article concludes that defence autonomy depends not only on the acquisition of advanced systems, but also on stable institutional routines capable of converting strategic warnings into effective, sustainable and verifiable defence capabilities.