The Brazilian Navy has taken delivery of Amazonas, the first of three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) from BAE Systems at Portsmouth Naval Base, US, on Friday morning, June 29, as part of the £133 million deal it struck earlier this year.
Originally the three ships were to be built for Trinidad and Tobago but the contract was cancelled following schedule and design issues. The new deal with Brazil now includes a manufacturing license for the Brazilians to continue to build additional OPVs indigenously.
The second and third vessels are to be delivered to the Brazilian Navy in December 2012 and 2013 respectively. Eighty Brazilian Navy sailors have been subjected to training in the Portsmouth Naval Base by BAE Systems engineers before the delivery at so as to be able to operate the latest addition to their fleet.
The fleet modernization scheme of the Brazilian Navy also includes procurement of five frigate-class boats and one support ship.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , July 3, 2012; Image: BAE Systems