According to information published by the Brazilian Newspaper website "The Rio Times" on June 11, 2021, the Brazilian Navy will be reinforced by four new submarines as well as Tamandaré-class frigates by 2022.
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Brazilian Navy Riachuelo-class Scorpène-type submarine, Riachuelo S40. (Picture source Brazilian Navy Youtube)
Currently, the Brazilian Navy operates seven submarines, including five Tupi-class (modified German Type 209) submarines, which are based at Almirante Castro e Silva, Mocangue Island, near Rio de Janeiro, and two Scorpene-class submarines.
The Tupi class built by the Brazilian Navy is a modified German-made Type 209/1400 diesel-electric attack submarine. The submarine has a length of 64.4 m and fitted with higher power diesel engines, different electric motors, batteries, electronics, and sensors. She is armed with eight 533 mm torpedo tubes and carries 14 torpedoes.
In 2009, Brazil purchased four enlarged French-made Scorpene-class submarines for US$9.9 billion with a technology transfer agreement and a second agreement to develop a French/Brazilian nuclear-powered submarine. In December 2018, the Brazilian Navy launched the first of its Riachuelo-class Scorpene-type submarines, the Riachuelo (S40). The second Riachuelo-class submarine Humaitá (S41) was launched on December 11, 2020. Brazil plans to finalize the construction of the two Scorpene-class submarines in 2022.
The Scorpene is a conventional diesel-electric attack submarine designed by the French company Naval Group for export markets. This submarine is now in service with Brazil, Chile, Malaysia, and India. Brazilan version, the Riachuelo-class has a length of 75 m, a beam of 6.2, and a displacement of 2,000 tons. She is powered by four MTU 12V 396 SE84 diesel engines and one Jeumont-Schneider EPM Magtronic electric engine.
The Riachuelo-class submarine is armed with six 533 mm torpedo tubes able to launch F21 heavy torpedoes, SM-39 Exocet & MANSUP anti-ship missiles or naval mines.
Brazilian Navy has also launched the construction of the Álvaro Albertoa nuclear-powered attack (SSN) submarine in collaboration with the Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN), a Brazilian defense company specialized in naval-based platforms.
The Álvaro Albertoa submarine will have a beam of 9.8 m to accommodate the pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWR). The submarine will have a length of 100 m and a displacement of 6,000 tons. She will be propelled by a 48 MW (64,000 hp) fully electric propulsion system. According to Brazilian reports in late May 2004, a special budget of approximately $7.8 million was to be released immediately for the completion of the land-based nuclear reactor prototype RENAP-11 (Reactor Naval de Potência (PWR) de 11 Megawatts).
Brazil plans to build 15 diesel-electric submarines and 6 nuclear-powered vessels in an attempt to modernize its navy.
The Brazilian Navy is responsible for the protection of some 7,400 km of coastline, and Brazil's submarines are a critical part of this effort. In addition to attacking the sea lines of communication (SLOCs) of the enemy, they can be employed for power projection through the disembarkation of Special Forces, for intelligence collection, and for laying mines.
