The Stinger Sale as a Political Safeguard: What It Reveals About U.S.-Brazil Relations

Brazil's interest in the FIM-92 Stinger gave the U.S. an opportunity to create a defense diplomacy buffer, amid economic uncertainty between the two nations. On June 11, 2026, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Brazil for 100 FIM-92K Stinger missiles, estimated at US$330 million. The sale was formally justified as support for Brazil's effort to secure South American airspace from illicit...