The naval project is being developed in the country and is due to be launched at sea this year
By Agência Marinha de Notícias – Rio de Janeiro, RJThe launch of the “Tamandaré” frigate, the first of the four new escort ships that will equip the Brazilian Navy over the course of this decade, is scheduled for the middle of this year. The second ship in the class, which will be named the “Jerônimo de Albuquerque” frigate, has started cutting the steel plates that will make up its hull. Both are part of the Tamandaré Class Frigate Program (PFCT), the most modern and innovative shipbuilding project developed in the country, which is expected to generate around 2,000 direct jobs and 6,000 indirect jobs.
The PFCT aims to modernize the Brazilian Fleet, strengthening its capacity to guarantee the country’s sovereignty, as well as encouraging the growth of the national defence industry and the production chain needed to build the ships on Brazilian soil. Led by the MB, the program is managed by the Naval Projects Management Company (EMGEPRON) and executed by the Águas Azuis Special Purpose Company, which is made up of the companies Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defesa & Segurança and Atech.
With high technological complexity, the new frigates will be versatile and have high combat power, capable of countering multiple threats, and will be used to protect the riches of the Blue Amazon. The vessels will also be used for search and rescue operations and to support Brazilian foreign policy.
“The Tamandaré Class Frigate Program expands our commitment to society to preserve and protect Brazil’s jurisdictional waters, valuing the national workforce, using the latest technology and fostering our Defense Industrial Base,” said the Navy’s Director General of Material, Fleet Admiral Edgar Luiz Siqueira Barbosa.
PEC for Defense and inclusion in the PAC
As part of the Strategic Naval Modernization Program, the PFCT was included in the Federal Government’s Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) in 2023. As a result, the project had parliamentary support to seek the release of funds from the National Congress. A Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) was filed with the Federal Senate in October 2023, called the “Defense PEC”, which aims to guarantee a budget equal to or greater than 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Defense, observing the reasonableness of a gradual annual percentage increase (0.1%/year).
With this, the proposal is in line with the current geopolitical scenario, which has encouraged large and medium-sized powers to increase their investments to renew their defense systems. Over the last 10 years, Brazil has spent an average of 1.32% of its GDP on national defense, while other developing countries have invested more, such as India (2.4%), Colombia (3%) and Chile (1.8%).
The emphasis given by the PEC to the Armed Forces’ Strategic Programs provides for the development and manufacture of systems and equipment on national territory, activities that are intensive in generating jobs and developing science and technology, such as the Tamandaré Class Frigate Program. The gradual increase in the budget proposed by the “Defense PEC” could yield domestic economic and social dividends, as well as helping to maintain and strengthen Brazil’s deterrent power.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***