Brazilian frigate Tamandaré to begin sea trials in July 2025 ahead of planned commissioning.

As reported by Defesa Aérea & Naval on June 10, 2025, the Brazilian Navy's Tamandaré-class frigate program is progressing according to schedule, with the lead ship F200 Tamandaré expected to begin sea acceptance trials in July 2025 and delivery anticipated by the end of the year. The vessel was launched on August 9, 2024, following the laying of its keel on March 24, 2023, at the thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul (tkEBS) shipyard in Itajaí, Santa Catarina. The construction phase began after the cutting of the first steel plate in June 2022 and the official assembly start in March 2023.
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The Brazilian Navy will use the four Tamandaré-class frigates as part of a broader effort to maintain control of maritime areas of interest, especially the “Amazônia Azul,” a maritime area of over 5.7 million square kilometers. (Picture source: Wikimedia/Vcardozobr)

After its launch, the ship was transferred to a floating dock using the ballast system and will complete outfitting at the pier before harbor and sea trials. These trials are part of a commissioning process managed by EMGEPRON under the Programa Fragatas Classe Tamandaré (PFCT), which aims to renew Brazil's escort fleet by replacing the Niterói-class, Type 22 frigates acquired from the UK, and the Inhaúma-class corvettes.

The PFCT began in 2017 with a public request for proposals issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Defence. The process led to a shortlist that included consortia such as Damen Saab Tamandaré, FLV, Villegagnon, and Águas Azuis. On March 27, 2019, the Águas Azuis consortium was declared the preferred bidder. It was officially contracted on March 5, 2020, and is composed of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Embraer Defesa & Segurança, and Atech Negócios em Tecnologias S.A. The program includes agreements for local construction, knowledge and technology transfer, and a support structure for lifecycle management and post-delivery maintenance. The consortium committed to a national content index of 31.6% for the first ship and an average of 41% for the others. The initiative supports Brazil's Strategic Naval Power Core Construction Plan and aligns with the National Defense Strategy by enhancing domestic industrial capabilities and creating up to 6,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The Tamandaré-class frigates are based on the German MEKO A-100 design and are constructed with a modular approach to facilitate upgrades. Each frigate has a full-load displacement of 3,455 tons, a length of 107.2 meters, a beam of approximately 16 meters, and a draught of 5.2 meters. They are powered by four MAN V12 28/33D diesel engines delivering 21,280 kW total, and four Caterpillar C32 diesel generators rated at 1,417 kW each. The propulsion system includes two shafts with controllable pitch five-blade propellers. The ships are designed for a maximum speed of 25.5 knots, an economical cruising speed of 14 knots, and a maximum range of 5,500 nautical miles. They are equipped with two rigid-hulled inflatable boats and can carry a crew of 130 to 136 personnel, with facilities for a medium-lift helicopter such as the S-70B Seahawk or H225M and one Insitu ScanEagle UAV. The second ship, F201 Jerônimo de Albuquerque, had its keel laid in June 2024, with launch scheduled for August 2025 and delivery in January 2027. The third ship, F202 Cunha Moreira, began construction in December 2024 and is scheduled for launch in July 2026 and commissioning in February 2028. The fourth, F203 Mariz e Barros, is planned for keel laying in October 2026, launch in November 2027, and commissioning in February 2029. A second batch of four frigates, F204 to F207, is under consideration.

The ships are equipped with an array of weapon systems, including a 12-cell vertical launch system (VLS) for MBDA Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missiles, which can hold up to 48 CAMM missiles in quad-pack configuration. The anti-ship capability is provided by eight MANSUP missiles, a Brazilian development based on the Exocet MM40 Block 2. For close-in defense, the frigates feature a 76/62 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid Multi-Feeding naval gun on the bow, confirmed to be installed on F200, along with a 30 mm Rheinmetall Sea Snake CIWS, two FN Herstal Sea Defender 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon stations, and two general-purpose machine guns or .50 caliber heavy machine guns. Anti-submarine warfare capabilities include two triple launchers for Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes. Countermeasures are managed by the Terma C-Guard decoy launching system. The suite of sensors comprises the Hensoldt TRS-4D AESA radar, Thales STIR 1.2 fire control radar, Atlas Elektronik ASO 713 hull-mounted sonar, and Safran PASEO XLR optronic system. The Raytheon surface search radar and Anschütz NSX X-band navigation radar are also part of the configuration. The ships incorporate Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and satellite communication systems.

The CMS and IPMS are two key subsystems that integrate the ship’s capabilities. The Combat Management System (CMS) was developed by Atech in partnership with Atlas Elektronik and manages 22 combat system components. It enables situational awareness, target engagement, and control of weapon systems. The Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), developed by Atech in partnership with L3Harris, oversees 68 platform systems including propulsion, energy generation and distribution, auxiliary systems, and damage control. Both systems are digitally integrated and contribute to operational efficiency. The PFCT includes the complete lifecycle management of the ships, from design and construction through maintenance and decommissioning. This is the first time such a comprehensive lifecycle and support contract is implemented for surface ships in the Brazilian Navy, and it aims to enhance availability and lower long-term operational costs. The design process is paperless and digital, ensuring environmental compliance and process traceability throughout the build and operation.

All four ships are being built domestically at the TKMS Estaleiro Brasil Sul in Itajaí. The choice of Itajaí allowed the reactivation of a dormant shipyard and contributed to regional employment and industrial development. In addition to Atech, other Brazilian companies such as Akaer and Omnisys are involved in the nationalization of components. Ammunition for the 76 mm gun, including VULCANO extended-range variants, is being produced in Brazil. According to official figures, 40% of components for each ship are domestically sourced. As of mid-2025, foreign delegations from Chile and Colombia have visited the construction site, reflecting interest in potential export, although no contracts have yet been signed. The class design is adaptable for future capabilities such as land-attack cruise missiles, although none are currently integrated. The ships are named after figures significant to the history of the Imperial Brazilian Navy, with Tamandaré honoring Admiral Joaquim Marques Lisboa. He was patron of the Navy and participated in the Cisplatine War and the War of the Triple Alliance.

The Brazilian Navy emphasizes that the Tamandaré-class frigates are intended to operate in all warfare environments, air, surface, and submarine. Their missions will include escorting high-value naval units, patrolling Brazil’s Exclusive Economic Zone, conducting anti-submarine operations, and supporting humanitarian or search and rescue efforts. The Navy defines these ships as part of a broader effort to maintain control of maritime areas of interest, especially the “Amazônia Azul,” a maritime area of over 5.7 million square kilometers. The frigates will also monitor economic activity such as offshore oil production and fisheries, while contributing to international commitments and operations. In statements made during public ceremonies, Brazilian defense officials have underscored the importance of maintaining a mobile, permanent, and flexible naval force to ensure the country’s strategic autonomy and effective maritime defense. The ship’s future commander has been designated as Captain Gustavo Cabral Thomé, and training of the crew is underway in preparation for operational deployment by the end of 2025.