The Brazilian Navy has commissioned the lead Scorpene-class attack submarine, Riachuelo S-40, during a ceremony in Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro.
Announced by French shipbuilder Naval Group, the commissioning ceremony was held at Submarine Base of Madeira Island (BSIM) on 1 September.
Before entering the service, the submarine has already completed its sea trials.
Riachuelo is the first of four submarines under the Brazilian Navy’s Programa de desenvolvimento de Submarinos or Submarine Development Programme (Prosub), which is a partnership between Brazil and France.
In 2009, the Brazilian Navy selected Naval Group to develop the four submarines.
The company, under a transfer of technology (TT) programme, worked with Brazil’s Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN).
ICN is responsible for manufacturing and assembling of the four submarines entirely in Brazil.
Naval Group CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet said: “The commissioning of Riachuelo is a major milestone for the Brazilian Navy, ICN, Naval Group and all our partners.
“She will bring new capabilities to the Brazilian Navy for decades to come.
“The successful delivery of the Riachuelo, the first Scorpene submarine entirely built in Brazil is proof of the success of Naval Group’s transfer of technology.
“We are proud to be part of the ProSub programme and remain fully committed to deliver the three other units of the series.”
Launched in 2018, Riachuelo is a 2000t conventional submarine capable of performing several missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, long-range strikes, special operations and intelligence gathering.
The Scorpene-class conventional attack submarines (SSK) has a six weapon launching torpedoes tubes and 18 missiles.
Currently, the remaining three submarines, Humaita S-41, Tonelero S-42, and Ango Stura S-43, are under different stages of construction.
Humaitá is expected to commence its trials later this year.
