Santa Catarina is home to one of the largest defense projects underway in the country. And the participants of SC Expo Defense, which takes place in Florianópolis on the 19th and 20th of May, you will be able to learn a little more about the Tamandaré Class Frigates Program, at Águas Azuis, a Special Purpose Society established between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech, subsidiary of Embraer, for the construction of four new ships that will expand and modernize the fleet of the Brazilian Navy. The company’s CEO, Fernando Queiroz, talks about the project below:
– How does the company see the various opportunities opened up by acting in the defense segment?
With regard specifically to the Tamandaré Class Program, we highlight the potential to generate high-skilled direct and indirect jobs in Brazil. In addition, the project provides for a solid model of national partnership with proven ability to transfer technology and qualify local labor, which guarantees the development of future strategic defense projects in Brazil.
– How will the company participate in the SC EXPO DEFENSE 2022?
Águas Azuis is a special purpose partnership established between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech, a subsidiary of Embraer, for the construction of four new Tamandaré Class ships, in order to expand and modernize the fleet of the Brazilian Navy. Brazil. It has a strong presence in the country and relies on the solid experience of its parent companies in several areas.
The member companies have a solid and long history of relationships, in addition to a strong presence in several countries. Leader of the Águas Azuis naval partnership, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, a thyssenkrupp Group company, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of systems for submarines and naval surface vessels, as well as maritime safety technologies with a centuries-old history of shipbuilding. A leader in the aerospace and defense industry in Latin America, Embraer Defense & Security, a business unit of Embraer, adds its 50 years of experience in systems technology solutions and in-service support to the program.
Atech, a subsidiary of Embraer, develops innovative solutions for air traffic control, command and control systems, cyber security, instrumentation and control systems, embedded systems, simulators and logistics.
– Do you already sell any products with the Armed Forces?
In 2020, Águas Azuis signed a contract with EMGEPRON – Empresa Gestora de Projetos Navais da Marinha do Brasil for the construction of four state-of-the-art Tamandaré Class frigates that will compose the Brazilian Navy fleet, with delivery scheduled between 2025 and 2028. Construction is being carried out in Brazil, at thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul, in Itajaí (SC), with expectations of local content rates above 30% for the first ship and 40% for the others. thyssenkrupp is supplying the naval technology of its proven MEKO Class defense ship building platform, which already operates in 15 countries with more than 80 vessels. With a vast history of supplying products and services to Armed Forces in different parts of the world, Embraer, which is present in 60 countries, is responsible for integrating sensors and weapons into the combat system. Atech is the supplier of the CMS (Combat Management System), of the IPMS (Integrated Platform Management System, of L3 MAPPS) and receiver of technology transfer in cooperation with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp. It should be noted that Embraer was born defense, being the result of a strategic project by the Brazilian government in the late 1960s. Since then, it has become the home of Defense in Brazil, leading important programs that have developed not only the Company, but the entire national Defense industry.
– Has the defense business increased in recent years?
We believe so. In fact, the naval alliance between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Embraer Defense & Security will also make it possible to create bases for the export of naval defense products from Brazil. It is also worth mentioning the acquisition of the Oceana shipyard by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The facility, renamed thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul, is part of thyssenkrupp’s international strategy to strengthen the naval defense area in Brazil and South America. With over 20 years of experience, the shipyard is one of the most modern in Brazil. Located in a region with a strong naval vocation, in an area of 310,000 m², it has a high construction capacity and applies the most innovative production processes with a high level of automation and cutting-edge technology. It is progressing very well in its industrial activities so far. We have already completed the structural assembly of the mock-up for the Frigate Tamandaré within the deadlines and without any changes. In recent years, it has already delivered large vessels, such as ships for offshore operations of approximately 90 meters in length and 19 meters in breadth.