First Brazilian-built, Riachuelo-class submarine takes shape

On 11 October, the Brazilian Navy and Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN) will achieve a major milestone in the first domestic construction of the Riachuelo-class S-BR (Submarino Brasileiro) diesel-electric submarine, when the final union of the hull sections constituting the S Humaitá (S41) boat will take place at Itaguaí Naval Complex, the navy told Jane’s .

The submarine is scheduled to be launched in September 2020 and commissioned in December 2021, the navy said.

The hull section S1 of S Humaitá was moved from the metallic structures manufacturing plant (UFEM) to the main assembly hall (ESC) in April, and in June for the hull sections S2A, S2B, S3, and S4. Hull sections S1 and S2A were joined on 21 June, while joining of hull sections S2B, S3, and S4 took place on 15 August.

The forward half for first-of-class S Riachuelo (S40) was built by Naval Group in France and shipped to Brazil in 2013. It was launched in December 2018 and is due for commissioning in October 2020.

The S-BR is an extended version of Naval Group’s Scorpène type designed to include additional storage space for fuel, food, and supplies, thereby increasing endurance.

The third submarine, S Tonelero (S42), is scheduled to be launched in September 2021 and commissioned in December 2022. The last unit, SAngostura (S43) is due for launch in September 2022 and commissioning in December 2023.

Approximately 40 Brazilian companies supply equipment and services for the construction of the boats, including state-owned NUCLEP, which is responsible for the resistant hull manufacture.