The Brazilian Navy has launched its first Scorpene-class diesel-electric attack submarine, the Riachuelo (S 40).

The launching ceremony took place today at Naval Complex in Itaguai, Rio de Janeiro.

In 2009, Naval Group was entrusted by the Brazilian Navy with designing and transferring the technology for four conventional Scorpène submarines with electrical propulsion, and for the design and manufacturing assistance for the non-nuclear part of Brazil’s first nuclear-powered submarine. The contract also included the support for the construction of a naval base and a shipyard in Brazil.

The Prosub program is a key extension of the strategic defence cooperation agreement signed in December 2008 in Rio de Janeiro.

The launching of the Riachuelo demonstrates the success of this program, with both the successful completion of the first submarine and of the shipyard’s infrastructure. The latter is being built by a Brazilian company, Construtora Norberto Odebrecht (CNO), based on Naval Group specifications and on the French group’s experience in the design, production engineering and in-service support of submarines.

With a length of 72 meters and a weight of 1,870 tons, the new submarine can transport 35 sailors. In addition, its operational availability at sea is 240 days per year.

The name of the new submarine is a reference to the Battle of the Riachuelo the Brazilian Navy fought and won against the Paraguayan Navy in 1865.

The Riachuelo will start sea trials in 2019 and is scheduled for delivery in 2020. Delivery of submarines 2, 3 and 4 will then follow every 12 to 18 months, according to the Naval Group.