Third Brazilian Navy’s Scorpène submarine launched

On March 27, the third of the four Scorpène submarines of Brazilian Navy’s ProSub program was launched at the Itaguaí Naval base.

As informed, the vessel Tonelero has been built entirely in Brazil by Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN) thanks to years of successful technology transfer and partnership with Naval Group.  Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron attendee the launching ceremony.

The submarine will soon start sea trials in order to be delivered in 2025. Angostura, the last submarine of the series will be launched in 2025.

Scorpène is equipped with the latest generation of combat systems, SUBTICS, which addresses the growing challenges of modern submarine missions in blue and shallow waters in the entire domain of submarine warfare. Moreover, its combat edge is highlighted by the fact that it has six weapon launching tubes, and 18 weapons (torpedoes, missiles).

All of the Brazilian Scorpène submarines will be equipped with Naval Group’s new-generation F21 heavy-weight torpedo, for which Brazil is the first international client.

“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.

In 2009, the Brazilian Navy chose Naval Group for its “Programa de desenvolvimento de Submarinos”, the ProSub program. 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 program are manufactured and assembled in the shipyard built in Itaguaí by ICN. Naval Group contributed to this program by transferring technology, supplying the submarine design file, the equipment that makes up the submarines and technical assistance to ICN. Teams from the ICN shipyard have also been trained in submarine construction techniques in France, as part of a vast training program.

The submarine is multipurpose, and it fulfills the entire scope of missions such as Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare, special operations, and intelligence gathering.

In January this year, the first submarine Humaitá in this class was commissioned.

In addition to these four Scorpene submarines, ten other units designed and adapted by Naval Group for the export market are in operational service or under construction around the world: two for the Chilean Navy, two for the Malaysian Navy and six for the Indian Navy. These successes demonstrate both Naval Group’s ability to supply best-in-class submarines and to transfer technology successfully.