The “Parnaíba” monitor will soon be 87 years old and continues to be a modern, robust ship capable of operating in the various fields of Naval Power.
Operation “Ágata Oeste 2024”, conceived by the Ministry of Defense and executed by the Western Joint Command, involves the Armed Forces and Public Security and Inspection Agencies (OSPF) on the border strips of Mato Grosso (MT) and Mato Grosso do Sul (MS). Among the 23 Brazilian Navy (MB) vessels deployed, the Monitor “Parnaíba”, the world’s oldest warship still in active service, stands out.
In addition to vehicles and aircraft, the MB acts as a Component Naval Force with 536 military personnel from the 6th Naval District Command (Com6ºDN) and nine ships, which operate with smaller vessels on the Paraguay River in preventive and repressive actions, such as river patrols, naval inspections and setting up blockade and control posts on waterways.
The “Monitor Parnaíba” is one of the vessels used in the operation for boarding activities for the benefit of maritime security, which contributes to the safety of the population. “It was designed to operate on shallow rivers, such as the Paraguay River. Over the years, it has been modernized to keep up with technological developments, increasing its operational capabilities. It is currently equipped with advanced navigation and armament systems which, combined with the characteristics designed in the past, result in a modern, robust and versatile ship, capable of operating in the various fields of naval power,” said the Commander of the Monitor ‘Parnaíba’, Lieutenant Commander Robson de Freitas Reis.
During visits to the structures of the Joint Component Forces, the MB and the Brazilian Army, from September 5 to 9, the delegation from the Ágata Joint Operational Command, after flying over the operational area in a Navy aircraft, part of the 1st Western General Purpose Helicopter Fleet, landed on the flight deck of the “Monitor Parnaíba” and had the opportunity to get to know its main compartments and operational capabilities.
About the ship
On November 6, 1937, a ship with a uniquely Brazilian design was completed at the Navy Arsenal in Rio de Janeiro, marking the return to shipbuilding in Brazil in the 20th century. Today, at the age of 86, the “Monitor Parnaíba” carries, on its decks, stories and episodes that make this ship a cultural heritage of the Brazilian Navy; and embarks, in each compartment, the heritage, culture and tradition of generations.
The keel was struck (the ship’s first phase) on June 11, 1935, at Ilha das Cobras (RJ), marking the official start of hull construction and finally, 17 months after intense work, the “Monitor Parnaíba” floated for the first time and paved the way for new constructions in the Brazilian naval industry.
In March 1938, the ship was incorporated into the Mato Grosso Flotilla and, in April 1943, it went to the Naval Force subordinated to the Eastern Naval Command, in Salvador (BA), to escort convoys and patrol the port during the Second World War. In May 1945, he returned to his headquarters in Ladário (MS), where he remains today.
Joint Operation “Ágata West”
The operation is part of the Federal Government’s Integrated Border Protection Program (PPIF). In 12 days of operation, the actions of the Armed Forces and security agencies resulted in a loss of more than R$100 million to organized crime.
The final balance of Operation “Ágata Oeste” includes actions carried out on Brazilian soil, which amounted to more than R$20 million in losses to organized crime, and more than 15 million dollars (R$84 million at conversion), the result of the mirror operation “Basalto III”, carried out by the Brazilian Army during the same period.
In this edition, around 2,000 military personnel are being deployed and 12 aircraft, 16 vessels and 217 vehicles are being used, as well as the Lessonia Project satellite and the Hermes RQ-900 Remotely Piloted Aircraft, which allows for more effective and comprehensive surveillance of the area of operation.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias