Study on the Defense Industrial Base awarded by the Ministry of Defense

The doctoral thesis defended by Professor Guilherme R. Garcia Marques from Fundação Getulio Vargas received the “Ministry of Defense” Award, a distinction that recognizes the excellence of graduate research conducted within institutions of higher education of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense. 

The award was presented during the 10th Seminar of the Graduate Programs of the Ministry of Defense, held at the Military Engineering Institute (IME) on November 12 and 13. Organized by the Education and Culture Office of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of the Ministry of Defense, the event aims to reinforce integration among the Armed Forces, military educational institutions, and the academic community, encouraging Brazilian society’s involvement in matters of strategic interest concerning national defense. 

The thesis, titled “Development of the Brazilian Defense Industrial Base from the Perspective of Global Value Chains: Inputs for a Productivity and Competitiveness Agenda,” was developed in the doctoral program conducted by the Army Command and General Staff School (ECEME), within the research line of “Defense Management: Public Policies, Economy, and Industry.” 

Supervised by Professor Hélio Caetano Farias from ECEME and co-supervised by Professor Kaizô Iwakami Beltrão from FGV EBAPE, the work proposes to produce empirical evidence through econometric models and data science regarding the positive effects associated with greater integration into global value chains on the productivity and international competitiveness of the Brazilian Defense Industrial Base. 

For Professor Guilherme, “this award represents an important recognition of empirical research and reinforces the relevance of academic production for the formulation of public policies and the enhancement of the country’s defense production capabilities.” 

FGV actively collaborates with ECEME in developing technical advisory activities aimed at expanding the education, research, and development of its graduate program. The goal is to foster a plural, interdisciplinary, and highly qualified academic environment, as well as to publish research and organize scientific events aimed at the academic internationalization of the School. This interaction between civilians and military personnel has proven fundamental for advancing Defense studies in Brazil, promoting the circulation of knowledge, institutional dialogue, and the construction of more integrated and sophisticated strategic perspectives on issues sensitive to sovereignty and national security.