Within the framework of the GUINEX-II exercise, the Brazilian Navy will conduct exercises with the Cape Verde Coast Guard to promote interoperability and strengthen ties between Brazil and the countries on the west coast of Africa; maneuvers were carried out at sea and in port, which allowed increasing maritime security in the South Atlantic.
On this occasion, joint exercises and training were carried out with the Cape Verde Coast Guard, including a search and rescue exercise on the high seas, first aid, combat damage assessment, communications, and an approach to vessels suspected of violations.
For this purpose, the Brazilian Navy deployed the Niteroi class frigate “União” (F-45), which on this occasion embarked an AS-350 (Esquilo) helicopter to carry out the search and rescue exercise, together with the Coordination of the Cape Verde Joint Rescue Center.
Since it arrived in the Gulf of Guinea, the Frigate has operated with the Navies of Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and the Coast Guard of São Tomé and Príncipe.
ABOUT THE NITERÓI CLASS FRIGATES
The Fragata União is the sixth Niteroi class frigate delivered to the Brazilian Navy in 1980. Like the other five frigates, they were modernized in terms of their anti-aircraft missile systems, with the incorporation of the Albatros system (Aspide 2000 missiles) replacing the Sea Cat system.
They have a full load of 3800 tons, a length of 129.29 meters, a beam of 13.50 meters, and a draft of 5.50 meters. They also have MM40 Exocet missiles, a 115 mm Vickers Mk8 gun, and Mk 46 torpedo tubes.
With information from Zona Militar