As
we reported last month, the Brazilian Navy has signed a contract worth
£133 million with BAE Systems for the supply of three Ocean Patrol
Vessels and ancillary support services. The contract also contains a
Manufacturing Licence to enable further vessels of the same class to
be constructed in Brazil.
The three 90 metre vessels, originally constructed for the Government
of Trinidad & Tobago, will provide the Brazilian Navy with enhanced
maritime capability in the near term, pending the acquisition of future
ships under its PROSUPER programme (Brazil’s current surface ship
acquisition plan). The first two ships will be delivered in 2012 and
the third will follow in early 2013.
As part of the Manufacturing Licence, a Design Information Package
is provided which will contain the relevant design and manufacturing
information to enable the Brazilian Navy to construct further Ocean
Patrol Vessels in Brazil, helping to support the country’s naval
re-equipment programme and strengthen Brazil’s maritime industrial
capability.
Andrew Davies, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime business,
said: “This is a significant step forward in our relationship
with Brazil. The Ocean Patrol Vessels are highly capable ships and I
am sure they will be a tremendous asset to the Brazilian Navy.
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“We are looking forward to working together
and hope this will be the start of a long term partnership with Brazil
in the maritime sector.”
Rear Admiral Francisco Deiana, the Brazilian Navy’s Director of
Naval Engineering, said: “The acquisition of these three Ocean
Patrol Vessels from BAE Systems will make an important contribution
to both our ability to provide security and protection to Brazil’s
Jurisdictional Waters and to deliver our commitments to the Brazilian
Maritime Authority.
This procurement does not change the scope of our PROSUPER programme
for the acquisition of future ships which also includes a further five
Ocean Patrol Vessels of c.1,800 tonnes to be constructed in Brazil”
The Ocean Patrol Vessels are capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots
and weigh 2,200 tonnes fully loaded. With a 30mm cannon and two 25mm
guns, as well as a helicopter flight deck and a rigid inflatable boat,
the ships are ideal for performing maritime security roles in Brazil’s
territorial waters. Designed to accommodate a crew of up to 70, with
additional accommodation for 50 embarked troops or passengers and ample
deck space for container storage, the vessels are also effective for
search and rescue and disaster relief operations.
The ships were originally built by BAE Systems for the Government of
Trinidad and Tobago under a contract signed in 2007. This contract was
terminated in late 2010 and BAE Systems has since marketed the vessels
to interested countries. The first ship was constructed at the BAE Systems
Portsmouth facility and the other two at its shipyard on the Clyde.
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