Brazil Launch Third Scorpene of its Submarine Programme

Brazil’s newest submarine Tonelero, will soon start sea trials before its scheduled delivery to the country’s navy. Only few weeks after the delivery of the Humaita, the Tonelero,  successfully launched in Itaguaí and will soon start sea trials in order to be delivered in 2025. Angostura, the last submarine of the series will be launched in 2025.

Brazil launched the “Tonelero” March 27, the third one it has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Programme (ProSub).

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron attended the launching ceremony held at the Itaguai port on the Rio de Janeiro coast.

“Today Brazil is part of a small group of countries that master submarine construction. ProSub is Brazil’s largest and most important international defence cooperation project,” Lula da Silva said at the event. Macron said that the shipyard built to manufacture the submarine is one of the most modern in the world and the only one installed in South America.

“The launching of the Tonelero is a major milestone for the Brazilian Navy, ICN, Naval Group and all our partners. This achievement is a result of our common work to make the ProSub program and its associated technology transfer a success. We are honoured by the high level of confidence the Brazilian Navy has placed in our expertise, and we remain fully committed to supporting the needs of the Brazilian Navy and contributing to the development a strong Brazilian naval industry.” Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group.

The partnership includes the construction of an industrial infrastructure complex to support submarine operations, including shipyards, a naval base and a metal structure manufacturing unit.

The Tonelero has been built entirely in Brazil by Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN) after years of successful technology transfer and partnership with Naval Group.

The launching of the Tonelero demonstrates the success of the ProSub program which is a key extension of the French-Brazilian strategic defense cooperation agreement signed in 2008. This program not only provides the Brazilian Navy with new capabilities and contributes to its ambitious Amazonia Azul strategy, but it also enables Brazil to rely more and more on a sovereign national industrial base.

Naval Group, a Long-term Strategic Partner

In 2009, the Brazilian Navy chose Naval Group for its “Programa de desenvolvimento de Submarinos”, the ProSub programme. Brazil decided to reinforce its submarine force with four new conventional submarines (SSK) and the development of an indigenous nuclear-powered submarine (SSN).

The Scorpène® submarines of the ProSub programme are manufactured and assembled in the shipyard built in Itaguaí by ICN. Naval Group contributed to this programme by transferring technology, supplying the submarine design file, the equipment that makes up the submarines and technical assistance to ICN, a Group statement said.

Teams from the ICN shipyard have also been trained in submarine construction techniques in France, as part of a vast training programme for Brazilian welders, formers, pipe fitters and electricians. This training, along with technical assistance, enables ICN to master the entire production process, from sheet metal forming to commissioning and testing of onboard systems, it added.

Naval Group has also selected and qualified many local suppliers who have joined its supply chain for the ProSub contract but also for other business opportunities. In this way, the company’s partners can have access to new markets by putting forward the know-how and experience acquired through the programme. Naval Group thus contributes to the development of a robust Brazilian naval industrial ecosystem. Hundreds of Naval Group employees are also working in the back office on all French sites.

“Naval Group also supports the Brazilian Navy in the design of the first Brazilian nuclear-powered submarine and will provide support beyond the construction of the submarines over the entire life cycle of the ships.” – adj/shp/mgm (Pix: Naval Group)