Defesa da Amazônia Azul: a influência dos almirantes Vidigal e Flores na estratégia naval brasileira contemporânea

Abstract

The aim of this work is to understand how the evolution of Brazilian naval strategic thought has unfolded since the 1980s, with emphasis on the concepts of Admirals Armando Amorim Ferreira Vidigal and Mário César Flores, whose ideas significantly shaped the construction of a national maritime doctrine. This research also analyzes how these concepts influenced—and continue to influence—the more recent formulations of the National Defense Strategy (END). The study shows how both strategists, each in their own way, contributed to rethinking Brazilian naval doctrine in different historical contexts, proposing paths aimed at aligning the Navy’s capabilities with the country's strategic and economic realities, while addressing both domestic challenges and the international scenario. Admiral Vidigal stood out for a Navy primarily oriented toward coastal defense but with expanded capabilities, as his strategic vision emphasized the importance of deterrence and Brazil’s maritime vulnerabilities in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world. Admiral Flores, on the other hand, presented a comprehensive analysis of the structure of Brazilian naval power, proposing a more realistic naval configuration. His proposal valued surveillance of the South Atlantic, defense of the Blue Amazon, and the integration of naval capabilities into the broader national development project. In the current context, these perspectives continue to be reflected and updated in official defense documents, such as the National Defense Policy (PND), the National Defense Strategy (END), and the Navy's Strategic Plan (PEM). The analysis reveals that Brazilian naval strategic thought has evolved gradually yet consistently, by combining traditional elements with innovations capable of safeguarding the country’s interests in the maritime domain.