Brazilian Navy Riachuelo Scorpene-Class submarine carried out first independent navigation.

According to a Tweet released by the Brazilian Navy on August 13, 2020, the Riachuelo Scorpene-Class submarine of the Brazilian Navy carried out the first independent navigation without the need of tugboats. The rudders, the navigation and propulsion system, the diesel generators, the battery charges, and the communication system were tested at sea.
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Riachuelo Scorpene-Class submarine of the Brazilian Navy. (Picture source Brazilian Navy)

In 2009, Naval Group was entrusted by the Brazilian Navy with designing and transferring the technology for four conventional Scorpène® submarines, and for the design and manufacturing assistance for the non-nuclear part of Brazil’s first nuclear-powered submarine. The contract also included support for the construction of a naval base and a shipyard in Brazil.

In December 2018, the Brazilian Navy launched its first Brazilian-built Scorpène® submarine, the Riachuelo. In September 2019, Navy Recognition has released news to announce that the Brazilian Navy has started the sea trials of it first Scorpene-class diesel-electric Riachuelo submarine.

Scorpène® is the conventional submarine designed by the French shipyard Naval Group, formerly DCNS, for the export market. It demonstrates both Naval Group’s ability to deliver the best in class submarines and to conduct successful transfers of technology. Today 14 Scorpène® submarines are in operational service or being built, for the Chilean Navy (2 units), the Malaysian Navy (2 units), the Indian Navy (6 units), and the Brazilian Navy (4 units).

The Scorpène® design is adapted to fit each navy’s specific requirements. Thus, the Brazilian Scorpène® will be slightly longer to carry a larger crew, almost double the patrol range, and be able to cover greater distances.

Scorpène® is ideally suited for action and operational effectiveness. Robust and enduring, it’s an ocean-going submarine also designed for shallow waters operations. Multipurpose, it fulfills the entire scope of missions such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, special operations, offensive minelaying and intelligence gathering. Integrating improvements from French Barracuda-Class fast-attack submarine, Scorpène® has cutting-edge capabilities.

The Brazilian Scorpene has a surface displacement of 1,870 t while its overall length is 72 m. It has a diving depth of 300 m and autonomy of 45 days. The submarine has a crew of 31 people including 6 officers and 25 sailors.

The armament of the Scorpene-class submarine includes six 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes for 18 Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes and SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles and 30 mines in place of torpedoes.