Navy Contracts Building Four Frigates in Santa Catarina Shipyard for R$9.1 Billion

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian Navy is to conclude the R$9.1 billion contract for the purchase of four advanced frigates of the new Tamandaré class.

It is the first military contract of Jair Bolsonaro’s government. The ships will be built in Santa Catarina, at Oceana shipyard, in Itajaí, through the consortium Águas Azuis, made up of three companies: the German Thyssenkrupp Marine System, an its Brazilian associates Atech and Embraer Defense and Security. The first frigate will be delivered in 2024 and the last in 2028.

The signing ceremony will be a technical event held at the Rio de Janeiro Arsenal. The next stage is focused on the preparation of the executive project and will require one year of adjustments and studies before the construction of the fleet can start.

The construction of corvettes, lighter vessels with less firepower, was considered by the Navy up to the second half of 2019. However, the project grew in size due to the implementation as escort units, sea surveillance and area control. T

The Naval Command decided on Wednesday, March 4th, that the ships would be designated as frigates. The reference platform is the Thyssenkrupp Meko A100 family, with modifications.

These are sophisticated war machines, missile and heavy torpedo launchers. They include stealth and radar visibility reduction features in design and coating.

They weigh approximately 3,500 tons and measure 107 meters in length. They carry only 136 crew and a helicopter, able to conduct anti-submarine operations, and a drone, a new generation unmanned vehicle, with vertical landing and take-off capability.