Key milestones for the Brazilian submarine program celebrated in Itaguaí

11 December 2020 Submarines Defense Naval International Group News

On Friday 11th December 2020 and in the presence of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jaír Bolsonaro, the Marinha do Brazil launched the Humaitá, second Scorpene submarine made in Brazil.

During the event, key milestones were also reached for the other units of the series with the integration of the Tonelero (3rd submarine), while the first of class, Riachuelo, is successfully conducting its sea trials.

Key milestones reached for Prosub program

The ceremony celebrates new successful steps forward for all Scorpene submarines of the Prosub Program currently built in Itaguaí by Itaguaí Construçoes Navais (ICN) thanks to a transfer of technology and production from Naval Group.

  •  The first of class, the Riachuelo, is completing its sea trials, especially with a successful series of dives.
  • The Humaitá was launched during the event.
  •  The Tonelero  is going under its integration phase : all the sections have been transferred to the main assembly hall for final assembly of the ship.
  • The sections of the Angostura are under construction

The delivery of the Riachuelo is planned for the second half of 2021 with other units to follow every 12 to 18 months

Naval Group is very proud to stand with its subsidiary Itaguaí Construçoes Navais for this important event. Submarines programs are among the most demanding and complex industrial programs and ICN is leading the Prosub program with an impressive rigor and efficiency to respond to the operational needs of the Brazilian Navy. Through this program Brazilian experts and technicians have gained high added-value skills. This is another proof of the importance of transfer of technology. Brazil is now capable of designing, producing and maintaining state-of-the-art submarines” declared Pierre Eric Pommellet, Naval Group CEO.

A strategic Brazilian-French partnership

The Prosub program is a key extension of the strategic defence cooperation agreement signed between France and Brazil in December 2008 in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2009, Naval Group was entrusted by the Brazilian Navy with designing and transferring the technology for the local construction of four conventional Scorpene submarines, as well as for the design and manufacturing assistance for the non-nuclear part of Brazil’s first nuclear-powered submarine. The contract also included the design for the construction of a naval base and a shipyard in Brazil.

Strengthening the Brazilian industrial base

Since 2012, Naval Group has done considerable work to identify, select, qualify and develop long term partnerships with the Brazilian industry and service providers in order to:

  • feed its own supplier database for the equipment packages supplied by Naval Group to the Brazilian Navy;
  • present and qualify local suppliers to meet the needs the contractual requirement of local content, managed by the Brazilian Navy.

Finally, working with Naval Group and the Brazilian Navy opens new business opportunities and access to new markets for these companies as they can promote their track record on the program and the know-how and experience they gained.

The Scorpene, a success story on export markets

The Scorpene is the conventional submarine designed by Naval Group for export markets. It demonstrates Naval Group’s ability to respond to its clients’ needs and to conduct successful transfers of technology as today 14 Scorpène® submarines are in operational service or being built, for the Chilean Navy (2 units), the Malaysian Navy (2 units), the Indian navy (6 units) and the Brazilian Navy (4 units).

Scorpène is ideally suited for action and operational effectiveness. Robust and enduring, it’s an ocean-going submarine also designed for shallow waters operations. Multipurpose, it fulfils the entire scope of missions such as Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare, special operations, offensive minelaying and intelligence gathering. Integrating improvements from French Barracuda Class attack submarine, Scorpène has earned a reputation for its stealth, manoeuvrability and inter-operability of systems.

Brazilian Scorpene’s Characteristics

  • Surfaced displacement: 1,600 - 2,000 t
  • Length, overall: 72 m
  • Submerged speed > 20 kts
  • Diving depth > 350 m
  • Autonomy > 80 days
  • Crew: 35
  • Weapons total payload: 18
  • Weapon tubes: 6
  • Operational availability at sea > 240 days per year

Photos and videos of the programme and the ceremony are available on www.salledepresse.com

Emmanuel Gaudez
Tel. +33 (0)1 40 59 55 69
emmanuel.gaudez@naval-group.com
 
Klara Nadaradjane
Tel. +33 (0)6 45 03 11 92
priya-klara.nadaradjane@naval-group.com