DCNS and its partner Odebrecht commenced construction in Itaguaí, Brazil, on Saturday of the first of four S-BR Scorpene-class submarines for the Brazilian Navy. The vessel is scheduled to enter active service in 2017.
The four Scorpene-class submarines feature conventional diesel-electric propulsion and will be operated by a crew of 30 to 45. Their length overall is approximately 75 metres, with a surface displacement of close to 2,000 tonnes. The Scorpene-class vessels are ocean patrol submarines, designed for all types of missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, special operations and intelligence-gathering.
The Brazilian Navy's submarine programme covers the design and construction of four Scorpene conventional-propulsion submarine submarines, as well as design and construction assistance of Brazil's first nuclear-powered submarine, and the construction of a naval base and a naval shipyard.