Construction Starts on First Brazilian Scorpène Sub

19/07/2011 by Armed Forces International's Defence Correspondent

Construction has begun on the first of four new hybrid-powered attack submarines for the Brazilian Navy. The combined diesel/electric submarines are all part of the Scorpène class and Brazil ordered them in 2008.

Developed by France's DCNS, a total of 19 are expected to be built in all and two are already in full operational service with the Chilean Navy.

The first of Brazil's Scorpènes is scheduled to enter operational service in 2017 but, while Brazil's licence-built examples will differ slightly from the others, in terms of power, all Scorpènes are equivalent in size and role. About 75 metres in length, they displace almost 2,000 tonnes of water and a typical crew contingent consists of 30 to 45 naval personnel.

DCNS believes that Brazil's Scorpènes will be exactly what the nation needs to protect and defence its 8,500km of coastline.

Brazilian Navy Scorpènes

The Brazilian Navy Scorpène-manufacturing deal was established three years ago. At the same time, Brazil and France also pledged to jointly develop an entirely new nuclear-powered sub. This design's entry-into-service date is currently set at 2023.

Among the missions for which the Scorpène submarine has been designed are anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence acquisition and special ops, and it has a range of 12,000 kilometres when above the water, or some 1,000 kilometres when below it.

On the weapons side of things, Scorpène submarines have the capability to carry torpedoes, Exocet anti-ship missiles or mines.

Scorpène Submarine Construction

Brazil's Scorpène submarine construction programme was formally marked with a launch event attended by a number of dignitaries, including Dilma Rousseff - the President of Brazil.

‘This latest milestone further underscores DCNS's commitment to Brazil, the Brazilian Navy and local industry, which will play an active role in the construction of the country's first nuclear-powered submarine', DNCS stated, in a press release published online on 18 July.

Established in 1822, the Brazilian Navy currently operates 100 ships and has an employee count of 60,000 personnel.

Its ships include corvettes, amphibious vessels, frigates, submarines and a single aircraft carrier.