Keel laid for new Brazilian Navy frigate

Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), via Brazilian subsidiary ThyssenKrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul, has laid the keel of a new frigate slated for the Brazilian Navy. The ship, which will be named Jeronimo de Albuquerque, will be the second of the four-strong Tamandare-class.

The frigate is being built by Águas Azuis, a consortium formed by TKMS and Brazilian companies Embraer Defense and Security and Atech. Once in service, the ship will be used for territorial defence and humanitarian missions.

The future Jeronimo de Albuquerque will have a length of 107.2 metres, a beam of 16 metres, a draught of 5.2 metres, and a displacement of 3,500 tonnes. Four MAN and four Caterpillar engines in a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) will deliver a maximum speed of 25.5 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.

Armament will include a 76mm naval gun, a 30mm close-in weapon system, two 12.7mm machine guns on remote weapon stations, surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes. Flight deck and hangar facilities will be available for use by a multi-role helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicles.