Submarine Database

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This material is produced by the Monterey Institute's Center for Nonproliferation Studies


Sweden Capabilities May 26
India May 11
Israel May 10
Italy Capabilities May 10
Italy Exports May 10


COUNTRY CAPABILITIES

Submarine Proliferation

Brazil Current Capabilities

Capabilities | Import | Export

The Brazilian Navy currently operates a flotilla of four Tupi-class (modified German Type 209) submarines, which are based at Base Almirante Castro e Silva, Mocangue Island, near Rio de Janeiro. The first of class was constructed at Germany's Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW), while the remainder were built at Arsenal de Marinha do Rio de Janeiro (AMRJ).  AMRJ launched a fifth boat, the improved Tupi class Tikuna, on March 9, 2005.  In the near future, Brazil plans to begin constructing a new class of five diesel submarines.[1]  These submarines are to be a further step in the eventual creation of a fleet of nuclear-powered attack boats, which will use the same hull as the new diesel boats. According to Brazilian reports in late May 2004, a special budget of approximately $7.8 million was to be released immediately for the completion of the land-based nuclear reactor prototype RENAP-11 (Reator Naval de Potência de 11 Megawatts), which was expected to become operational in 2005.[2]  The RENAP-11 will then be modified for use in the SNAC-2 nuclear-powered submarine program (which will reportedly require a 48 megawatt PWR reactor).[2,3] Although SNAC-2, initiated in 1979, has been beset by funding problems, the program has recently become a priority.  Plans now call for a submarine construction contract by 2009, and the commissioning of the lead boat in a class of three in 2018. The first of class will be a diesel variant under the Tikuna SNAC-1 program, in order to test the hull before installing nuclear reactors on the second and third of the class.[2]

Brazilian Navy submarine crossing under the Rio-Niterói Bridge, Rio de Janeiro.
Source: Serviço de Relações Públicas da Marinha, http://www.mar.mil.br/acervo/submarinos/sub-2.htm.
The Brazilian Navy is responsible for the protection of some 7,400 km of coastline.  Brasília's submarines are a critical part of this effort.  In addition to attacking the sea lines of communication of the enemy, they can be employed for power projection through the disembarkation of special forces, for intelligence collection, and for laying mines, notes Rear Admiral Pedro Fava, Commander of the Brazilian Navy Submarine Force.[4]
TUPI (TYPE 209/1400)    
Displacement, tons: 1,260 surfaced
1,440 submerged
 
Dimensions, ft (m): 200.1 × 20.3 × 18
(61 × 6.2 × 5.5)
Main machinery: diesel-electric
Speed, knots: 11 surfaced
21.5 submerged
Range, miles:

8,200 at 8 knots surfaced
400 at 4 knots submerged

Complement: 30-33*
Diving depth, ft (m): 820 (250)1
Endurance: Not available
Weapons: 16 torpedoes or mines; eight 21" (533 mm) tubes
Comments:

* Jane's gives the complements as 7 officers, 29 crew.

Sources:
"Submarine Classe TUPI," Brazilian Navy Website, http://www.mar.mil.br/stupi.htm.            
Serviço de Relações Públicas da Marinha.
[1] Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005.

     


TIKUNA (IMPROVED TUPI)    
Displacement, tons: 1,400 surfaced
1,550 submerged
 
Dimensions, ft (m): 200.1 × 20.3
(61.2 × 6.2)
Main machinery: Diesel-electric
Speed, knots: Over 20 knots
Range, miles: 8,200 at 8 knots surfaced
400 at 4 knots submerged
Complement: 7 officers, 29 crew
Diving depth, ft (m): 985 (300)1
Endurance: 60 days1
Weapons:

Eight torpedo tubes

Sources:
"Submarina Tikuna, Características Principais," Brazilian Navy Website, http://www.mar.mil.br/tikuna/folder/tikuna_5.htm.            
Serviço de Relações Públicas da Marinha, http://www.mar.mil.br/tikuna/folder/tikuna_6.htm.
[1] Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005.
     
 
 
ACTIVE DUTY SUBMARINES
Name (Number) Class Base Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned
S-30 Tupi Tupi Castro e Silva HDW, Kiel March 8, 1985 April 28, 1987 May 6, 1989
S-31 Tamoio Tupi Castro e Silva AMRJ July 15, 1986 November 18, 1993 December 12, 1994
S-32 Timbira Tupi Castro e Silva AMRJ September 15,  1987 January 5,  1996 December 16, 1996
S-33 Tapajó Tupi Castro e Silva AMRJ March 6, 1996 June 5, 1998 November 16, 1999
S-34 Tikuna Tikuna (Improved Tupi)   AMRJ June 11, 1996 March 9, 2005  
Sources:
[1] "
The Brazilian Navy - A Naval Force in Evolution," Military Technology, Vol. 29, No. 4 (April 2005), pp. 75-77; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb.
[2] Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005.

 

Sources:
[1] "The Brazilian Navy - A Naval Force in Evolution," Military Technology, Vol. 29, No. 4 (April 2005), pp. 75-77; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb.
[2] "Brazil Accelerates Reactor Work For Nuclear Submarine Program," Sea Power, Vol. 47, No. 7 (July 2004), p. 44; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb.
[3] "Programa de Submarinos e Submarinos Nucleares de Ataque(SNA) da Marinha do Brasil," http://www.infomarmb.hpg.ig.com.br/progsna.htm.
[4] Hartmut Manseck, "Submarine Class 209," Naval Forces, Vol.24, No. 4 (2003), p. 75;
in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb.

 

CNSThis material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by MIIS.

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