Breaking news
Navy of Brazil May Have Purchased Former French Navy Foudre class LPD Siroco.
| 2015
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Naval
Forces News - Brazil, France |
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Navy of Brazil May Have Purchased Former French Navy Foudre class LPD
Siroco |
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According
to reliable French naval news website Corlobe,
the Brazilian press is reporting that Marinha do Brasil (Brazilian Navy)
would have purchased the former French Navy Foudre class LPD Siroco.
The amphibious vessel would be renamed Bahia with hull
number G40. |
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 The
Siroco is pictured here with a Puma type helicopter on deck and landing
craft coming out of the well deck. October 2014 picture. |
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As
we recently reported, the Portuguese Navy was interested in
the Siroco for some time but ultimately cancelled its procurement plan
because of incompatibilities between the French vessel and Portugal's
EH101 Merlin helicopters. Brazil would not have these issues because
its naval forces operate UH-14 Super Puma, UH-15 Super Cougar, UH-12/13
Squirell and is currently taking delivery of Caracal.
These are all compatible with the Siroco. The Siroco is the second Foudre class LPD. Head of class Foudre was sold to Chile in late 2011. The Siroco was decommissioned from French Navy service in July 2015. Launched in 1996, the vessel is still relatively recent and modern. A delegation from the Brazilian Navy conducted an evaluation of the ship in December 2014. Displacing 12,000 tonnes, Foudre class LPD can accommodate 4 helicopters (Puma type as used by French forces), 4 landing craft and 450 soldiers (900 for a short cruise) in addition to her crew. Contacted by Navy Recognition French Navy spokespersons were not available to comment at time of publishing. |