Brazil inches closer towards naval ambitions

The MB's third Amazonas-class OPV, Araguari, was delivered from builders BAE Systems on 21 June. Source: IHS/Alex Pape

Key Points
A funding crunch has generated questions about the future of PROSUPER's frigate element and other large procurements
Some notable acquisitions for the MB are nonetheless moving forward

The Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brazil - MB), despite budget constraints, has maintained some comprehensive investments intended to considerably improve its fleet power through acquisitions of ships, helicopters, missiles, armour, and other hardware.

Along with safeguarding Brazil's natural resources and 3.5 million km 2 of maritime domain, the naval service is also working to expand its regional influence and become a more active player internationally - a position the government views as fitting for the world's sixth-largest economy.

Accordingly, the navy implemented the PAEMB (Plano de Articulação e Equipamentos da Marinha do Brasil) modernisation effort as part of the country's wider national defence strategy.

PROSUPER marks one of the largest elements of the navy's modernisation plan - it would buy five 6,000-tonne frigates, five 1,800-tonne offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), and one 20,000-tonne logistic support vessel that would be worth EUR5-6 billion (USD7-8 billion).

Brazilian political leaders are analysing bids submitted by Navantia, Fincantieri, DCNS, DSME, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, TKMS, and BAE Systems. Ships are to be locally constructed through a significant technology transfer agreement. Brazil expects to first receive the patrol vessels, then the support ship, and finally the frigates.

Ultimately the navy has said it could in the future consider ordering many more frigates, seven additional OPVs, and four more logistic ships - however, funding for PROSUPER has recently been jeopardised by Brazil's slower pace of economic growth and the near-term prospects for this procurement are unclear.

Nonetheless, so far three Amazonas-class OPVs were received from BAE Systems over the last two years following an order in 2011. Two Macaé-class 500-tonne coastal patrol vessels were received from INACE and five more are to be delivered by EISA, for a total of 46 ships expected to be ordered from local shipbuilders (including 20 ships that may be acquired via a leasing scheme).

Two LPR40 Mk 2 patrol boats, meant to patrol the Amazon river, are to be received by early 2014 from Colombia's COTECMAR. Local construction of the first of four planned 2,400-tonne corvettes is expected to begin by late 2014, with a tender soon to be submitted for the design's development.

In the long term, Brazil hopes to procure two 50,000-tonne aircraft carriers under its three-phase PRONAE programme. Officials reportedly approached Navantia, Fincantieri, BAE Systems, and Gibbs & Cox for information on this effort.

Meanwhile, as part of its PROANF programme, Brazil is expected to acquire a license to build two 10,000-tonne amphibious ships that would be compliant with MARPOL standard. San Giusto, Juan Carlos I, Foudre, and Rotterdam designs are being analysed for this project.

As part of Brazil's already funded PROSUB programme, four SB-R diesel-electric attack submarines are on order from DCNS with the first scheduled to enter service around 2017 and the last in 2021. Moreover, a single SN-BR nuclear-powered submarine is expected to be locally built and enter service in 2025 with Brazilian-developed nuclear propulsion, and a naval base and shipyard are being built in Itaguaí near Rio de Janeiro. Aside from PROSUB, five U209-1400 submarines five U209-1400 submarines were upgraded with Lockheed Martin BYG-501 Mod 1 combat systems and Raytheon Mk48 Mod 6AT heavyweight torpedo among other technologies.

For surveillance efforts along Brazil's 8,500 km coastline, the navy has established the SisGAAZ programme, an integrated network meant to centralise all information gathered by vessels, sensors, and satellites.

To bolster aerial coverage the navy is in the process of receiving 16 Eurocopter EC 725 helicopters (eight UH-15 and eight UH-15A platforms) as well as eight Sikorsky S-70B Seahawks (locally designated MH-16). Twelve AF-1/1A Skyhawk attack aircraft are being upgraded by Embraer Defense & Security, and four former US Navy C-1A Trader utility aircraft are being upgraded by Marsh Aviation to the KC-2 Turbo Trader configuration.

Kongsberg Defence Systems Penguin Mk 2 Mod 7 anti-ship missiles were acquired for the S-70B Seahawks, MBDA Exocet AM39 Block 2 Mod 2 are expected to be received for the UH-15As, and Exocet SM39 Block 2 Mod 2 to arm the new submarines. F21 heavyweight torpedoes and Contralto-S anti-torpedo systems are also on order from DCNS to arm the new submarines.

To further boost the navy's firepower, local organisations and industry are co-operating to develop a MANSUP surface-to-surface missile, and Exocet MM40 Block 1 and Aspide missiles have been re-engined. A surface-to-air missile is understood to also be a potential development programme.

For amphibious operations, the Marine Corps is receiving a third batch of 18 Piranha IIIC 8x8 armoured vehicles that were ordered in October 2008 from General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) and additional vehicles could be added to this buy.

Israel Military Industries is assisting in the local upgrade of 30 vehicles in the M113 family and 26 legacy BAE Systems Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) are to be upgraded and another 26 AAVs are to be purchased. Seventeen GDELS Sk105A2S Kürassier tanks are to receive improvements and a new light tank is expected to be purchased.

As for artillery, the marines are expected to procure 155 mm howitzer systems to replace ageing M114A1s, and the service could also soon receive the first elements of a battery of ASTROS FN multiple launch rocket system that was bought from Avibras in December 2011. Meanwhile, MSS 1.2 anti-armour guided missiles were received from Mectron, and one battery of KBP Instrument Design Bureau Pantsir-S1 mobile air defence system is being acquired.