“Tonelero” is 100% made in Brazil and will be part of the Naval Power’s means of defending the Blue Amazon
By First Lieutenant (T) Ohana Gonçalves – Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The “Tonelero” Submarine (S42) will be christened and launched into the sea next Wednesday (27) in Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro. The event will mark the completion of the construction process of the third Conventional Diesel-Electric Submarine (S-BR), built entirely in Brazil, within the scope of the Submarine Development Program (PROSUB), which is the result of a strategic partnership signed in 2008 between Brazil and France for the transfer of technology in the manufacture of vessels.
The President of the Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is expected to attend the Sea Launch Ceremony, accompanied by the President of France, Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron. Brazil’s first lady, Janja Lula da Silva, will be the christening godmother of the Brazilian Navy’s (MB) new submarine, which will contribute to the defense of the homeland and the Blue Amazon.
PROSUB has brought many benefits to the country since it was created, such as: generating jobs and income; training skilled labour; technological leverage; nationalization and transfer of technology; and the development of the Defence Industrial Base.
A modern means of deterrence
Submarines equipped with modern sensors, missiles and torpedoes, as is the case with the new Brazilian submarines built under PROSUB, have a high deterrent capacity because they are lethal weapons that are difficult to locate when submerged. The possibility of the presence of submarines in a maritime area forces an opposing naval force to mobilize many means and efforts to locate and combat these stealthy vessels.
The design of the “Tonelero” incorporates the modernity of the French Scorpène-class vessels, with adaptations and additions to meet the specific needs of MB operations. Larger than the French model, the “Tonelero” is over 71 meters long and has a submerged displacement of 1,870 tons. After being placed in the water, the “Tonelero” will begin the testing process to assess its stability at sea and its navigation and combat systems.
In order to protect the Blue Amazon and guarantee Brazilian sovereignty at sea, the Brazilian Navy has sought to invest in the expansion of the Naval Force and the development of the defense industry. The National Defence Strategy, launched in 2008, established that Brazil should have a “large naval force”, which led to the conception of PROSUB with the construction of four diesel-electric submarines on national territory, which, in addition to modernizing the MB’s Submarine Force, would enable the country to build its first conventionally nuclear-powered submarine.
Since then, in addition to the “Tonelero”, the “Riachuelo” (S40) and “Humaitá” (S41) submarines have already been delivered. There are still plans to deliver another conventional submarine, the “Angostura” (S43); and the manufacture of Brazil’s conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine, the “Álvaro Alberto”, which will represent an unprecedented rise in the level of deterrence and technology of National Defense.
Benefits of PROSUB for Brazil and the population
By prioritizing the acquisition of national products and systems throughout the production chain, PROSUB fosters the development of Brazilian industries in the defence area, encompassing sectors such as electronics, mechanics (fine and heavy), electromechanics and chemistry, as well as the naval area. In this way, it contributes to the country’s economic growth, as well as generating 22,000 direct jobs and almost 40,000 indirect jobs.
PROSUB also includes the construction of the industrial infrastructure complex to support the operation of the submarines, which includes shipyards, naval bases and the Metal Structures Manufacturing Unit in Itaguaí (RJ), as well as testing laboratories for various applications.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***