Backbone of the Tamandaré Class Frigate is completedBackbone of the Tamandaré Class Frigate is completed

Keel Laying Ceremony of the first ship of the class was held in Itajaí (SC)

By First-Lieutenant (RM2-T) Luciana Almeida – Brasília, DF

One more important stage in the construction of the “Tamandaré” Class Frigates is concluded. On Friday (24), the Brazilian Navy (MB) and the Special Purpose Company (SPE) Águas Azuis presented the “backbone” of the first frigate of this class, that is, the keel, the structural part of a ship that enables the assembly of the other parts and modules of its construction. The presentation took place during the keel laying ceremony at thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul (tkEBS), in Itajaí (SC). In shipbuilding, keel laying is considered a way to bring good luck.

The event was presided over by the Commander of the Navy, Fleet Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen. During the ceremony, the CEO of SPE Águas Azuis, Fernando Queiroz, delivered the commemorative coins of the “Beating of the Keel” to the Navy Commander, to the members of the Admiralty, and other authorities present there. The coins used in the keel laying process were also gathered to honor the work of the shipbuilders who are working on the development of the “Tamandaré” Class.

The Director-General of Navy Material, Fleet Admiral Arthur Fernando Bettega Corrêa, pointed out that the “Tamandaré” Class Frigates will be versatile escort ships of expressive combat power, capable of countering multiple air, submarine and surface threats. “These ships will also carry our flag and defend our national interests wherever foreign policy demands, reiterating Brazil’s commitment to peace, increasing our Naval Diplomacy and demonstrating the high technological level and entrepreneurial capacity of our national industry,” he adds.

For the CEO of SPE Água Azuis, this is one of the most innovative naval projects ever developed in Brazil. “I reinforce the importance that the ‘Tamandaré’ Class represents, not only for the defense of our country’s sovereignty and the Blue Amazon, but also for the technological development of a wide value chain and professionals who are boosting the national market of naval construction and defense equipment,” he said.

Engineering of the Frigates and job generation

With the evolution of engineering and the use of modern production processes adopted in the Tamandaré Class Frigates Program, the ships are built in blocks. Therefore, in the case of the “Tamandaré” Frigate, the first of the four to be delivered, the keel laying is characterized by the positioning in its building site of an important structural block, which weighs about 52 tons and corresponds to the engine room of the forward part of the ship, where two engines, a gearbox and several pumps and auxiliary equipment will be installed.

These ships, expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2029, will have high combat power and will be able to protect the extensive Brazilian maritime area, of more than 5.7 thousand km², called the “Blue Amazon”, besides carrying out search and rescue operations and meeting international commitments. The ships will be employed in the patrol of Brazilian Jurisdictional Waters, with emphasis on the inspection and protection of economic activities, especially the oil and fishing ones.

Two thousand direct jobs and 6 thousand indirect jobs should be generated at the peak of the vessels’ production. Production will be made with at least 30% local content for the first ship, and 40% from the second onwards, which provides a gradual transfer of technology in naval engineering for the manufacture of military ships and combat and platform management systems on Brazilian soil. The frigates will be based on the German MEKO design, already used in 82 vessels in operation in the navies of 15 countries.

On this subject, Águas Azuis’ CEO stated that this venture in Itajaí contributes to Santa Catarina being among the states with the lowest unemployment rates in the country. “Socioeconomic growth, technology transfer, guarantee of local content that leverages the defense industrial base, and training of highly qualified labor,” he said.

Tamandaré” Class Frigates Program

Started in 2017, the Brazilian Navy’s “Tamandaré” Class Frigates Program aims to promote the renewal of the Fleet with four modern ships of high technological complexity, built in the country. The Program is a fundamental element and an indispensable means, both for the control of maritime areas of interest, avoiding the access of undesirable means by sea, and also for the Country to act under the aegis of international organizations and in support of Foreign Policy, in a manner compatible with Brazil’s insertion in the international scenario.

On March 27, 2019, SPE Águas Azuis was announced as the best offer for the Program. Águas Azuis is formed by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Atech and Embraer Defense and Security. On March 5, 2020, the Naval Project Management Company and SPE Águas Azuis signed the contracts for the construction of the “Tamandaré” Class.

At that time, the main contract for the acquisition, by construction in the country, of four frigates, and the related contract, which deals with the Offset Agreement, were signed. The latter has as objects the transfer of knowledge and technology related to the Combat Management System and the Integrated Platform Management System, as well as courses of operation and maintenance of the future frigates.

Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias

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