The Brazilian Navy (MB) and SPE Águas Azuis – a Special Purpose Company composed of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense and Security and Atech – presented, in an unprecedented way, on June 21, at thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul (tkEBS) in Itajaí-SC, the section of one of the engine rooms of the future Frigate Classe Tamandaré. This verification model (Mockup) reproduces in real dimensions the referred structure of the ship to be qualified by the Classification Society and the applicable contractual norms and requirements, and thus start the manufacture of the vessel later this year.
The most modern and innovative naval project ever developed in the country, the Tamandaré Class Frigates Program (PFCT), conducted since 2017 by the Brazilian Navy, executed by Águas Azuis and managed by Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais (EMGEPRON), provides for the construction, in of four ships of high technological complexity.
The FCT will be versatile and modern escorts, equipped with high mobility, permanence, communications, combat, surveillance and reaction capabilities and, therefore, capable of a wide spectrum of employment and protection of the maritime area belonging to Brazil. Its characteristics will make it possible to increase search and rescue operations; will allow monitoring and combating pollution, piracy, illegal fishing, among other threats, increasing maritime security in the Blue Amazon. With these ships, MB will be better able to meet any international commitments assumed by foreign policy in a manner compatible with Brazil’s stature and insertion in the international scenario.
Obtaining these ships is part of the objectives of modernizing the Naval Force, more specifically the construction of the Naval Power Nucleus, which aims to renew the Brazilian fleet. In addition to representing a joint effort for the development of the defense industrial base, training and improving the shipbuilding workforce, and promoting the National Defense Industry.
The construction contract was signed on March 5, 2020, between EMGEPRON, an independent state-owned company, linked to the Ministry of Defense through the Navy Command, and the Special Purpose Society Águas Azuis.
Ship dimensions and expected benefits
The frigates have characteristics such as displacement of 3,380 t, length of 107 m, maximum width of 16 m, range of 5,000 MN (9,260 km) at cruising speed, maximum speed of 25.5 knots (47.2 km/h ) and a total crew of around 130 military personnel.
The “Tamandaré” Class Frigates Program provides for technology transfer and training for companies and the Brazilian Navy (MB). It is a technology dominated by few countries and whose incorporation into the national technological spectrum represents a step, not only in guaranteeing independence in the adaptive and evolutionary maintenance of current and future naval means, but also important dual reflexes in applications in the national industry.
Developed based on a solid national partnership model, the PFCT has the potential to generate high-skilled direct and indirect jobs in Brazil through the transfer of technology and local content rates above 30%, for the first ship, and from 40% for other vessels. It is planned to hire around 2,000 direct workers, who will receive training in the design and construction of highly technologically complex warships, in addition to generating around 6,000 other indirect jobs.
From a construction point of view, the incorporation of modern planning techniques and shipbuilding concepts, applied in the design of the renowned MEKO class of warships, owned by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS), and their absorption and incorporation by a shipyard in national territory, employing national labor and reflecting on the maintenance of the national maritime industry, represent a strong contribution to innovation and maintenance of shipbuilding technology in the country.
Special Purpose Company “Águas Azuis”
The companies that form Águas Azuis have a solid and long history of relationship with Brazil, in addition to a strong presence in several other countries. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is supplying the naval technology of its proven MEKO® Class defense ship building platform, already used on 82 vessels operating in navies in 15 countries, including Portugal, Greece, Australia, Argentina and Algeria.
Embraer Defense and Security is responsible for integrating some sensors and weapons into the combat system, adding to the Program its more than 50 years of experience in systems technology solutions and in-service support. Atech, a Embraer Group’s company, specialized in engineering and systems integration, is responsible for the development of the Combat Management System (CMS), the Tactical Data Link and the activities of Integration and Testing of the combat system, in partnership with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, and also the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), in partnership with L3Harris. Atech participates, together with the Brazilian Navy, in the Transfer of Technology process of these Systems, an activity of great importance that will provide the knowledge and tools to operate and maintain the ship’s systems in the future. The naval alliance between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Embraer Defense & Security will also create bases for the export of naval defense products from Brazil.