The second Brazilian made Riachuelo-class Scorpene-type submarine, the Humaitá, has been launched by the Marinha do Brazil and local shipbuilder Itaguaí Construçoes Navais (ICN). The event took place in presence of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jaír Bolsonaro.
The ceremony celebrated successful steps forward for all Scorpene submarines of the Prosub Program currently built in Itaguaí by Itaguaí Construçoes Navais (ICN) thanks to a transfer of technology and production from French Shipbiulder Naval Group.
During the event, key milestones were also reached for the other units of the series, including:
- The first of class, the Riachuelo, is completing its sea trials, especially with a successful series of dives.
- The Tonelero is going under its integration phase – all the sections have been transferred to the main assembly hall for final assembly of the ship.
- The sections of the Angostura are under construction.
Pierre Eric Pommellet, Naval Group CEO, said: “Naval Group is very proud to stand with its subsidiary Itaguaí Construçoes Navais for this important event. Submarines programs are among the most demanding and complex industrial programs and ICN is leading the Prosub program with an impressive rigor and efficiency to respond to the operational needs of the Brazilian Navy. Through this program Brazilian experts and technicians have gained high added-value skills. This is another proof of the importance of transfer of technology. Brazil is now capable of designing, producing and maintaining state-of-the-art submarines.”
The Prosub program is a key extension of the strategic defence cooperation agreement signed between France and Brazil in December 2008 in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2009, Naval Group was entrusted by the Brazilian Navy with designing and transferring the technology for the local construction of four conventional Scorpene submarines, as well as for the design and manufacturing assistance for the non-nuclear part of Brazil’s first nuclear-powered submarine. The contract also included the design for the construction of a naval base and a shipyard in Brazil.
The Scorpene is the conventional submarine designed by Naval Group for export markets. It demonstrates Naval Group’s ability to respond to its clients’ needs and to conduct successful transfers of technology. Currently 14 Scorpène® submarines are in operational service or being built; 2 for the Chilean Navy, 2 for the Malaysian Navy, 6 for the Indian navy and 4 for the Brazilian Navy.
Scorpène is ideally suited for action and operational effectiveness. Robust and enduring, it’s an ocean-going submarine also designed for shallow waters operations. It fulfils the entire scope of missions such as Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare, special operations, offensive minelaying and intelligence gathering. Through integrating improvements from French Barracuda Class attack submarine, Scorpène has earned a reputation for its stealth, manoeuvrability and inter-operability of systems.
