Yesterday, May 12, as part of the support provided by the Brazilian Armed Forces under Operation Taquari 2, the multipurpose ship NAM “Atlântico” and the frigate “Defensora” of the Brazilian Navy arrived to the state of Rio Grande (RS) to join efforts and assist the communities. In recent days and weeks, as there is still no relief in sight for the climatic situation fueling the floods, the Brazilian Armed Forces are deploying their resources in an unprecedented humanitarian assistance operation.
Regarding the capabilities these two ships will bring, one of them, the Atlântico, is the most important and flagship vessel of the Brazilian Navy fleet. The force stated, “These two ships together transport 1,350 military personnel, 154 tons of donations, 38 vehicles from the Marine Infantry Group for Civil Defense Support, 24 small and medium-sized boats, three helicopters, as well as two mobile water treatment stations capable of producing a total of 20,000 liters of drinking water per hour. In addition to military personnel, resources, and donations, NAM ‘Atlântico’ transports 2.9 tons of medicines that will be taken to the Navy Field Hospital in the city of Guaíba (RS).”
It is worth noting: “Also noteworthy is the transportation of 154 tons of donations on the Task Group ships, including water, food, clothing, and hygiene supplies, items donated by society, companies, and the Naval Family. This effort represents the direct involvement of the Brazilian Navy in supporting state actions.”
The deployment of the multipurpose ship, as with other types of vessels with similar characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, demonstrates the importance of this type of vessel for conducting national and international humanitarian assistance operations. In addition to their transportation capabilities, superior to other naval and aerial means, their dual uses as shelters for victims and deployment of field hospitals are further examples of what these types of ships can do beyond strictly military use as a means of force projection.
*Photographs: Brazilian Navy (MB).
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