Brazil’s first Tamandaré-class frigate nears commissioning

March 17, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The lead ship of Brazil’s new Tamandaré-class frigate program, Tamandaré (F200), has departed the shipyard in Itajaí and is en route to Rio de Janeiro, where it is expected to be formally commissioned into the fleet of the Brazilian Navy in the coming period.

The milestone marks a significant step in Brazil’s long-term effort to modernize its surface fleet and expand its maritime security capabilities across the South Atlantic. The Tamandaré-class program is widely seen as a cornerstone of that strategy, combining advanced naval design with an emphasis on domestic industrial development.

The project is led by TKMS in partnership with the Brazilian Navy and EMGEPRON, the state-owned company responsible for managing naval projects. Together, the partners have sought to balance capability acquisition with technology transfer, aiming to strengthen Brazil’s local shipbuilding base.

Constructed at the shipyard in Itajaí, Tamandaré represents the first of four planned frigates under the program. The vessels are based on a modern modular design, allowing for flexibility in mission profiles ranging from anti-surface and anti-air warfare to maritime patrol and protection of offshore assets.

Beyond delivering new warships, the initiative is designed to cultivate domestic expertise, create skilled jobs, and embed advanced naval technologies within Brazil’s defense sector. This aligns with Brasília’s wider ambition to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers while maintaining strategic partnerships with established defense firms.

The arrival of Tamandaré in Rio de Janeiro will precede final preparations for commissioning, after which the frigate will begin operational service. Once fully integrated, the class is expected to play a central role in safeguarding Brazil’s extensive coastline and its economically vital offshore resources.

The lead ship, Tamandaré, has a length of 107 meters, a displacement of 3,500 tons, and a top speed of 25 knots.

Based on the German MEKO A100 design, the frigates are armed with MBDA’s SeaCeptor air defense system, Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missiles, a Leonardo 76/62 main gun, torpedo launchers, and remote weapon stations. Atech, in cooperation with TKMS Atlas Elektronik, is supplying the combat management and platform management systems, while Embraer integrates sensors and weaponry.

Construction began in 2022 with the first steel cut, followed by keel laying in March 2023 at thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul in Itajaí, Santa Catarina. The ship was launched in mid-2024, while the sea trials were completed off the coast of Brazil in August 2025.