Brazil Launches Third Scorpène Submarine "Tonelero" at Itaguaí Naval Base

Brazil reached a historic milestone today as the Tonelero, the third Scorpène® submarine of the ProSub program, was launched at the Itaguaí Naval base amidst the distinguished presence of both Brazilian and French Presidents. This event not only marks a significant advancement in Brazil’s naval capabilities but also underscores the successful collaboration between Brazil’s ICN and France’s Naval Group, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in submarine construction.

The Tonelero stands as a testament to Brazil’s emergence as a key player in submarine manufacturing, having been built entirely in Brazil by ICN through a successful Transfer of Technology (ToT) partnership with Naval Group. Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva aptly remarked during the event, “Today Brazil is part of a small group of countries that master submarine construction. ProSub is Brazil’s largest and most important international defense cooperation project.” This achievement highlights Brazil’s dedication to developing its indigenous defense capabilities and solidifying its position as a leader in naval innovation.

French President Macron echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the shipyard established for submarine production, noting it as one of the most modern in the world and the only one of its kind in South America. The partnership between Brazil and France extends beyond submarine construction, encompassing the development of an extensive industrial infrastructure complex to support submarine operations. This complex includes shipyards, a naval base, and a metal structure manufacturing unit in Itaguaí, further enhancing Brazil’s maritime capabilities and bolstering its strategic defense posture.

The ceremonial launch of the Tonelero was a moment of pride and celebration, symbolized by Brazil’s First Lady Janja da Silva christening the submarine with a champagne bottle on its bow, followed by the activation of a lever by the two presidents, sending the Scorpène-class vessel gracefully into the sea. This symbolic gesture not only commemorates the culmination of years of collaboration and dedication but also heralds a new era of maritime power and sovereignty for Brazil.

The ProSub program, initiated in 2008 during Lula’s previous presidential term, represents a long-term strategic partnership with France’s state-run Naval Group, with defense contractor Thales holding a significant stake. This partnership underscores the mutual commitment to advancing naval capabilities and fostering technological innovation, laying the foundation for enduring cooperation between Brazil and France in the realm of maritime defense.

As the Tonelero joins its predecessors, the Riachuelo and the Humaitá, in Brazil’s burgeoning submarine fleet, it symbolizes Brazil’s determination to safeguard its maritime interests and assert its presence in regional waters. With its advanced technology, stealth capabilities, and strategic significance, the Tonelero exemplifies Brazil’s journey towards self-reliance in defense and its aspirations to play a leading role in shaping the future of maritime security in the South Atlantic region.

 

[Anant]

Going by their previous track record, the Tonolero should enter service sometime in 2027-28. That said, Brazil did retire their Type 209s prematurely.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Going by their previous track record, the Tonolero should enter service sometime in 2027-28. That said, Brazil did retire their Type 209s prematurely.

Why does brazil even need a submarine fleet. It has no enemies and it is by far the largest, richest and most powerful country in south america. I feel jealous of their situation lol.

 

[Pink Panther]

Why does brazil even need a submarine fleet. It has no enemies and it is by far the largest, richest and most powerful country in south america. I feel jealous of their situation lol.

They have problems with Venezuela, Columbia, Argentina and even Chile.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

They have problems with Venezuela, Columbia, Argentina and even Chile.

yeah, having problems with neighbours is common, but military conflicts in another thing. India considers pakis as enemy and china as adversary or rival. I dont think brazil has similar policy regarding the countries you mention. And most important of all is the absence of nuclear weapons from the continent. I read somewhere that brazil plays big brother role in south america and resolves issues between other countries and stops conflicts from happening. In recent problem between venezuela and guyana, brazil intervened and asked for peace.

 

[Mithu Roy]

Look at India merely 30 to 35 percent indigenous content.Our government and its babus want us to remain slaves to foreign countries so that they can earn cuts

 

[Anant]

Why does brazil even need a submarine fleet. It has no enemies and it is by far the largest, richest and most powerful country in south america. I feel jealous of their situation lol.

Brazil maintains a submarine fleet for three reasons, primarily, which I'll list in a minute. This rationale has remained pretty much intact since the Brazilian submarine arm was formed in 1927.

Rationale:

1. Patrol of EEZ and Southern Atlantic against illegal or hostile shipping.
2. Deterrence against major foreign hostile naval forays into South American waters.
3. Maintenance of submarine operational capability.

Now, that rationale, by itself, isn't particularly misguided. Indeed, Brazil's submarine arm does have a deterrence value in potential conflict, and maintaining that capability helps, which is why their submarine arm has always been small. Using submarines as EEZ patrol vessels is, on the other hand, fairly questionable.

No, the place where Brazilian strategic thinking seems to take a leap of faith (maybe out of a window) is their rationale to acquire SSNs. Recently, Brazilian planners have concluded the need for Brazil to have 6 SSNs besides the standard 4 SSKs. They claim this is done for the purpose of patrolling the EEZ and for having a partial counter-strike capability after a hostile first strike by an enemy.

Here is why I feel that this rationale is nonsense:

1. Using SSNs to patrol your EEZ is not a sensible move. You are spending too much money and manpower. Granted, Brazil's EEZ is very rich in minerals and flora and fauna, but the investment into SSNs is unwarranted. You could do a far better job with a few extra SSKs, some UUVs, and a sensor network, and you would be able to do that for cheaper.
2. SSNs by themselves don't give you a counterstrike capability. Sure, you can have 2-3 SSNs on extended patrols when an enemy attacks, but unless you have strategic weapons on those SSNs, you aren't accomplishing anything. You may as well base a few SSKs in a foreign friendly port if you feel things are going south.

Hence, I would posit Brazil's submarine fleet and capability makes sense, but their requirement for nuclear submarines is probably not far more than a vanity project.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Brazil maintains a submarine fleet for three reasons, primarily, which I'll list in a minute. This rationale has remained pretty much intact since the Brazilian submarine arm was formed in 1927.

Rationale:

1. Patrol of EEZ and Southern Atlantic against illegal or hostile shipping.
2. Deterrence against major foreign hostile naval forays into South American waters.
3. Maintenance of submarine operational capability.

Now, that rationale, by itself, isn't particularly misguided. Indeed, Brazil's submarine arm does have a deterrence value in potential conflict, and maintaining that capability helps, which is why their submarine arm has always been small. Using submarines as EEZ patrol vessels is, on the other hand, fairly questionable.

No, the place where Brazilian strategic thinking seems to take a leap of faith (maybe out of a window) is their rationale to acquire SSNs. Recently, Brazilian planners have concluded the need for Brazil to have 6 SSNs besides the standard 4 SSKs. They claim this is done for the purpose of patrolling the EEZ and for having a partial counter-strike capability after a hostile first strike by an enemy.

Here is why I feel that this rationale is nonsense:

1. Using SSNs to patrol your EEZ is not a sensible move. You are spending too much money and manpower. Granted, Brazil's EEZ is very rich in minerals and flora and fauna, but the investment into SSNs is unwarranted. You could do a far better job with a few extra SSKs, some UUVs, and a sensor network, and you would be able to do that for cheaper.
2. SSNs by themselves don't give you a counterstrike capability. Sure, you can have 2-3 SSNs on extended patrols when an enemy attacks, but unless you have strategic weapons on those SSNs, you aren't accomplishing anything. You may as well base a few SSKs in a foreign friendly port if you feel things are going south.

Hence, I would posit Brazil's submarine fleet and capability makes sense, but their requirement for nuclear submarines is probably not far more than a vanity project.

You make great points.

On another note, I feel that south america has great potential to be the first region to demilitarise. Since, no war has been fought in the continent in modern history, except on the falkland islands which was an anomaly IMO. South american countries are largely at peace with each other. There is no serious piracy threat nearby, no nuclear nations in the continent. It is also fairly wealthy and educated, as compared to asia and africa, and it not in alliance with any great power (america or china). This region could be a great flagbearer for peace and peaceful coexistance.

 

[Pink Panther]

yeah, having problems with neighbours is common, but military conflicts in another thing. India considers pakis as enemy and china as adversary or rival. I dont think brazil has similar policy regarding the countries you mention. And most important of all is the absence of nuclear weapons from the continent. I read somewhere that brazil plays big brother role in south america and resolves issues between other countries and stops conflicts from happening. In recent problem between venezuela and guyana, brazil intervened and asked for peace.

the main reason for Submarine is Chile and Peru and that possess German Type 209 Submarines and are staunch US Allies, Argentina and Columbia have Spanish submarines, there is a lot of unrest in both it’s neighbors Venezuela and Columbia related to Narcotics smuggling.. Venezuela also has Type 209 Submarines.

 

[Sandeep]

Look at India merely 30 to 35 percent indigenous content.Our government and its babus want us to remain slaves to foreign countries so that they can earn cuts

It's a bad deal that the corrupt jihadi party made after getting large commissions and India could of made a better deal.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to quickly finish price negotiations and negotiate a much better deal with a higher amount of critical technology given to us. At the same time we need to make sure the next 3 submarines has a technology that's more modern, advanced and different to what Brazil received. We also need to install our own indigenous AIP which is essential to make our stealth submarines even more stealthier.

Another crucial change we need is to allow us to use our own indigenously designed and developed heavyweight and light torpedos with a range of at least 80km and a longer range cruise missile of at least 100km fired from a torpedo tube which is currently going through development tests and trials.

 

[Rajesh]

Look at India merely 30 to 35 percent indigenous content.Our government and its babus want us to remain slaves to foreign countries so that they can earn cuts

That was a trap our previous govt fell for personal gains. Kalveri deal led us to info leaking, no sensible tech transfer confirmed by MDL chief and delays . Hope next deals leads us to achieve technology absorption and make our own subs in the future.

 

[Varaaah]

Brazil maintains a submarine fleet for three reasons, primarily, which I'll list in a minute. This rationale has remained pretty much intact since the Brazilian submarine arm was formed in 1927.

Rationale:

1. Patrol of EEZ and Southern Atlantic against illegal or hostile shipping.
2. Deterrence against major foreign hostile naval forays into South American waters.
3. Maintenance of submarine operational capability.

Now, that rationale, by itself, isn't particularly misguided. Indeed, Brazil's submarine arm does have a deterrence value in potential conflict, and maintaining that capability helps, which is why their submarine arm has always been small. Using submarines as EEZ patrol vessels is, on the other hand, fairly questionable.

No, the place where Brazilian strategic thinking seems to take a leap of faith (maybe out of a window) is their rationale to acquire SSNs. Recently, Brazilian planners have concluded the need for Brazil to have 6 SSNs besides the standard 4 SSKs. They claim this is done for the purpose of patrolling the EEZ and for having a partial counter-strike capability after a hostile first strike by an enemy.

Here is why I feel that this rationale is nonsense:

1. Using SSNs to patrol your EEZ is not a sensible move. You are spending too much money and manpower. Granted, Brazil's EEZ is very rich in minerals and flora and fauna, but the investment into SSNs is unwarranted. You could do a far better job with a few extra SSKs, some UUVs, and a sensor network, and you would be able to do that for cheaper.
2. SSNs by themselves don't give you a counterstrike capability. Sure, you can have 2-3 SSNs on extended patrols when an enemy attacks, but unless you have strategic weapons on those SSNs, you aren't accomplishing anything. You may as well base a few SSKs in a foreign friendly port if you feel things are going south.

Hence, I would posit Brazil's submarine fleet and capability makes sense, but their requirement for nuclear submarines is probably not far more than a vanity project.

One more important reason is that their leaders can escape in case of attacks and calamaties. And also they expect that in future the US will patrol their with their subs.