The Tamandaré Frigate, the first of the four escort ships of this size that will be incorporated into the Brazilian Navy’s fleet over the next few years, was launched into the sea on Friday (9). The ceremony took place in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, and was attended by the President of the Republic.
In his speech, the president highlighted the importance of this project for modernizing the Armed Forces and strengthening Brazil’s defence industrial base. He stressed that the defense industry is strategic, generating innovation, encouraging research and ensuring control of geopolitically crucial segments.
Construction of the Tamandaré-class frigates began in September 2022 at the Thyssenkrupp Brasil Sul shipyard in Itajaí. The program involves technology transfer, job creation and the strengthening of naval power for the defense of the homeland.
According to the president, the program has great participation from the national industry, involves technology transfer, the generation of 8,000 direct jobs, an increase in tax revenue at the three executive levels and the strengthening of the core of naval power for the defense of the homeland.
The president also stressed the importance of state investment in defense and technology to guarantee national sovereignty. “It is necessary to have sovereignty in the area of defense to guarantee control over our natural wealth, our sea and our pre-salt [offshore oil exploration area]. In the same way, we need to have sovereignty in knowledge, technology and the ability to lead major projects, so that we don’t fall behind the rest of the world,” he said.
The vessels are part of the Tamandaré Class Frigate Program, a partnership between the Brazilian Navy and the Águas Azuis consortium, made up of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer and Atech. The ship, named Tamandaré, will be incorporated into the Navy in 2025. The other vessels will follow in the coming years.
In addition to protecting our jurisdictional waters, these frigates will replace ships that have been in operation for decades. And, perhaps, they will open doors for the construction of vessels for other friendly nations, contributing to our balance of trade in exports of defense products.
“If a country wants to be competitive and sovereign, it needs the state to be present. A presence that does not serve to reduce the importance of private companies, but rather to develop long-term projects, to build the future without getting caught up in the short-term thinking of the stock markets,” added the President.
The ship was christened Tamandaré, the same name that applies to the class, as it is the first ship in the set. It is due to be incorporated into the Navy in 2025. The other vessels are scheduled for gradual delivery over the next four years: the Jerônimo Albuquerque in 2026, the Cunha Moreira in 2027 and the Mariz e Barros in 2028.
The frigates will be used to protect Brazil’s jurisdictional waters and will replace ships that have been in operation for more than 40 years. The companies also want to open the door to building ships for other countries.
According to Defense Minister José Mucio, in the first seven months of 2024, authorized exports surpassed last year’s total, with R$8.4 billion exported. “This is already the second best result since 2001, when the historical series began,” he said. “I hope it’s only a matter of time before we can count on the sale of Tamandaré-class frigates to friendly nations, contributing to our balance of trade in defense exports,” he added.