The Brazilian Navy launches first Tamandaré Class frigate

Length: 107.2 meters
Beam: 15.95 meters
Height: 20.2 meters
Displacement: 3,500 tons
Range: 5,500 nautical miles
Speed: 25 knots (approximately 47 km/h)

Por

10 August, 2024

On August 9, the Brazilian Navy (MB), in collaboration with the Special Purpose Company (SPC) Águas Azuis Construção Naval, held the long-anticipated launch ceremony for the first of four frigates planned under the Tamandaré Class Frigate Program (PFCT) in Itajaí, Santa Catarina.

The event was attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Defense Minister, and several other dignitaries. In his speech, Lula emphasized that state purchasing power can and should be used to strengthen the country’s productive structure, highlighting the technology transfer and the number of direct and indirect jobs created by the program.

With a total estimated value of over R$ 13 billion and a projected timeline extending to 2030, the PFCT is part of the Strategic Program for Naval Power Core Construction, aimed at equipping the Brazilian Naval Force with high-tech military vessels built locally to protect the so-called Blue Amazon.

In March 2019, the Brazilian Navy selected the Águas Azuis Consortium, comprising THYSSENKRUPP Marine Systems GmbH (TKMS), Embraer S.A., and ATECH Negócios em Tecnologias S.A. (a subsidiary of Embraer), following Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 40005/2017-001. Four consortia were shortlisted:

Águas Azuis: THYSSENKRUPP Marine Systems, Embraer, and ATECH.
Damen SAAB Tamandaré: Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and SAAB.
FLV: Fincantieri, Leonardo, and Vard Promar.
Villegagnon: Naval Group, Enseada Indústria Naval, and Mectron.

The newly launched vessel measures 107 meters in length and has a displacement capacity of up to 3,465 tons. It features a flight deck, a helicopter hangar, state-of-the-art radars, sensors, and weaponry. The name “Tamandaré” honors Admiral Joaquim Marques Lisboa, the Marquis of Tamandaré.