The 2024 edition of Exercise Cruzeiro do Sul, CRUZEX, the largest training event promoted by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), will have new features. The operation carried out at Natal Air Base (BANT) will have new participating countries and aircraft that had not yet participated. 

Scheduled to take place between November 02nd and 17th, CRUZEX 2024 will bring together aircraft from eight countries in the Brazilian Northeast. Another five nations will participate with observers. On Wednesday (24), the profile on X @SA_Defensa released part of a FAB presentation to the Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee of the Chamber of Deputies (CREDN).

The image shows which countries will be participating in the military exercise and with what means. Check out the list below: 

Brazil

Host of the operation, Brazil will participate with a large part of its air and some land assets. What's new for this year are in the new F-39 Gripen fighters, operated by the Jaguar squadron, and the KC-390 Millennium freighter/refuelers, employed by the Zeus and Gordo squadrons. On the other hand, this will be the last CRUZEX for the AMX A-1 fighter-bombers, which will be retired by the end of 2025. 

In addition to FAB vectors, the Brazilian Navy must participate again with its modernized A-4 Skyhawk fighters (AF-1 Falcão). 

United States

A traditional participant in CRUZEX, the United States will bring four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, a KC-135 Stratotanker tanker and a C-130 Hércules freighter. As in recent times, the aircraft must be from Air National Guard units. 

Argentina

Another nation that has already been present in other editions of the training, Argentina returns to Natal, this time with a C-130 Hércules, three A-4AR Fightinghawk fighters and, for the first time, with the IA-63 Pampa II training and attack jets. Os newly acquired second-hand F-16s will remain for the next CRUZEX, as they will only be delivered from 2025. 

Colombia

The Colombian Air Force has also been to other editions, but this time it is coming to Brazil bringing four of its IAI Kfir Block 60 fighters for the first time. An Israeli version of the classic French Mirage V, the jets were recently modernized but are expected to go out of service this year. Colombia also participates with a KC-767 tanker. 

Paraguay

Brazil's neighbor participates in the exercise for the first time, in a 'modest' way, with two AT-27 Tucano and a small C212 Aviocar freighter. 

Peru

The Peruvian Air Force once again participates in CRUZEX, again with the French Mirage 2000P deltas and C-130 Hércules and C-27J Spartan freighters. 

Portugal

Another new participant, Portugal will bring its new KC-390 Millennium to BANT. Received by FAP in October 2023, the new vector has been used in various activities and recently made its first paratroop launch.

Uruguay

Another country returning to Brazil for the multinational exercise, Uruguay will bring only one KC-130 Hércules. The veteran A-37 Dragonfly attack jets were left out this time. 

Chile

Another traditional participant in CRUZEX, the Chilean Air Force will bring six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters and a KC-135E Stratotanker tanker, the same means it used in past editions. 

In addition to the countries that will bring planes, military personnel from Bolivia, Sweden, Germany, Italy and South Africa will participate as observers of the activity. CRUZEX will also have actors in areas of defense in Space and Cyberspace. Are they: 

• Canada
• Germany
• Sweden
• Chile
• Colombia
• Peru
• Brazil
• United States