Brazil’s second Scorpene sub Humaitá starts move to launch site

The first section of a new submarine for the Brazilian Navy has been transferred from the pre-outfitting site UFEM (Unidade de Fabricação de Estruturas Metálicas) to the Itaguaí Naval Complex on the Bay of Sepetiba where the boat will be launched once all hull sections are joined together.

Future BNS Humaitá (S 41) will be the second of four modified Scorpene submarines built for the Brazilian Navy under a transfer of technology agreement with French shipbuilder Naval Group.

A nova geração de submarinos brasileiros do Programa de Desenvolvimento de Submarinos avança cada dia mais. Confira o clipe da operação de transferência da primeira seção do Submarino “Humaitá”, o segundo dos quatro submarinos convencionais construídos no País #PROSUB #Tecnologia pic.twitter.com/Y3nRbBGGE2

— Marinha do Brasil (@marmilbr) May 9, 2019

As was the case with the first unit, Riachuelo (S 40), Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN), a joint venture comprised of prime contractor Odebrecht and Naval Group, used a special vehicle to transfer the first parts of the Humaitá from UFEM to the submarine construction shipyard, on the other side of the bay.

The production and assembly facilities are connected by a 4 km road that includes a 700-meter tunnel.

The first of three hull sections of Riachuelo was transferred to ICN in January 2018 and the submarine was launched some twelve months later in December.

Should the same be the case with the second submarine, it could be expected to enter the water in May 2020.

The Riachuelo is starting sea trials this year and is scheduled for delivery in 2020. Delivery of follow-on boats Humaita (S41), Tonelero (S42) and Ango Stura (S43) is to follow every 12 to 18 months.

In addition to the four diesel-electric attack submarines, France and Brazil are working together on the development of a nuclear-powered submarine under the South American country’s Prosub program.