The christening of the NPa “Miramar” took place on Thursday (28) in Rio de Janeiro
On Thursday (28), the Brazilian Navy held a ceremony at the Rio de Janeiro Navy Arsenal (AMRJ) to christen the patrol ship (NPa) “Miramar”. This milestone marks the beginning of the construction of the fifth ship in the Macaé class, which will be built entirely in the state of Rio de Janeiro and is scheduled to be launched in 2028.
The meaning of the expression “Quilting”, which is a traditional event in shipbuilding, refers to the placement of one of the structural blocks in the place where the hull will be assembled. In the case of the “Miramar”, the central block, weighing 11 tons, was positioned to begin the assembly sequence of the other sections, the hull and the superstructure. This method reflects the technological advances in naval engineering, allowing for greater efficiency and precision in the processes.
Vessels of this type play an important and strategic role in protecting Brazil’s maritime territory. The Director General of Naval Material, Admiral Edgar Luiz Siqueira Barbosa, explains what this means for the country. “The patrol ships guarantee the safety of waterway traffic, help to monitor jurisdictional waters and combat crimes such as smuggling, illegal fishing and drug trafficking. As well as contributing to job creation, they also play a vital role in search and rescue missions and in supporting the population in isolated areas.”
Tradition and modernity in shipbuilding
Miramar means “overlooking the sea”. With this baptism, the vessel looks to the future and will be essential in missions aimed at safeguarding human life and strengthening the defense of the approximately five million square kilometers of the Blue Amazon, a vital area for Brazil’s sovereignty and strategic interests.
The ship, which reaches a maximum speed of 21 knots, is 54.20 meters long. The “Macaé” class already has three others in operation: the NPa “Macaé” (P70), the NPa “Macau” (P71) and the NPa “Maracanã” (P72). The fourth, the NPa “Mangaratiba” (P73), is already 90% complete and should be launched in the first half of 2026.
PRONAPA: a naval and economic strengthening program
The construction of the NPa “Miramar” is part of the Program for Obtaining Patrol Vessels (PRONAPA), part of the New Growth Acceleration Program (New PAC). This initiative is part of the Federal Government’s strategy to boost the defense industry and generate jobs and income.
The Rio de Janeiro Navy Arsenal, with more than 260 years of history, is leading the way in this revival of shipbuilding, involving around 7,500 direct and indirect jobs. The program has already accumulated investments of more than R$230 million, reaffirming its commitment to technological self-sufficiency and strengthening the national economy.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias