Submarine Proliferation

Brazil Current Capabilities

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Brazil map 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] "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.

This 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 © 2008 by MIIS.