Steel cutting for the frigate Mariz-e-Barros has begun at the Brazilian shipyard TKMS Estaleiro Brasil Sul in Italy. According to Naval Today, this event marks the transition to full-scale production of Tamandare-class ships for the Brazilian Navy, as the company is simultaneously building all four ordered frigates.
According to representatives of the shipyard, the Tamandare program was developed not only to supply the Brazilian navy with modern multi-purpose warships, but also to introduce advanced know-how into shipbuilding and the development of the national defense industry through technology transfer.
Steel cutting for the fourth Tamandare class frigate, Brazil
TKMS
It is expected that the full-scale production of Tamandare frigates will save thousands of jobs in the Brazilian military-industrial sector, strengthen the long-term development of competencies and the sustainability of the supply chain. This program has become the cornerstone of Brazil's strategy to restore the sovereign potential of shipbuilding.
In March 2020, the contract for the construction of four ships was awarded to the Aguas Azuis consortium, which included Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech. The design of the frigates was developed on the basis of the German MEKO line as part of a technology transfer agreement.
The lead frigate Tamandare began construction in 2022 at the shipyard in Itajai, and the laying ceremony took place in March 2023. It was launched in August 2024. Commissioning was planned by the end of 2025, but testing is still ongoing.
Design variant of the Tamandare class ship (MEKO A100 project), Brazil
Naval Today
The second ship of this type, the Chronimo de Albuquerque, was laid down in June 2024, launched in August 2025, and is about to be commissioned in January 2027.
The third frigate Cunha Moreira was laid down in June 2025 and is going to be launched in November 2027.
The delivery of four frigates is expected to be completed in 2028.
In November, information appeared in the Brazilian press that in the near future the country's authorities intend to start negotiations with the German side on the purchase of four additional Tamandare-class ships.
According to representatives of the Brazilian Navy, the new frigates are versatile escort ships of high combat power, capable of countering numerous threats and designed to ensure the safety of maritime transportation. In addition, they are going to be involved in patrol missions with an emphasis on protecting economic activity, mainly in the oil and fishing industries.
The Tamandare–class frigates have a displacement of 3,455 tons and a hull length of 107.2 meters. The maximum speed is 25 knots. The crew consists of 136 people. They are armed with Sea Ceptor air defense systems and MBDA MM40 Exocet anti-ship missiles, 76 mm artillery systems, torpedoes and remotely controlled combat modules with 12.7mm machine guns.
