During the meeting of the G20 members Foreign Ministers, where Brazil assumed the temporary presidency, David Cameron, the UK’s Foreign Minister, visited the Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier NAM Atlântico (A140) of the Brazilian Navy for a protocol visit on Thursday, the 22nd.
During the visit, the British minister highlighted the importance of diplomatic relations and recognized Brazil’s naval capabilities. “The presence of the Minister aboard the Capitânia da Esquadra highlights bilateral collaboration, strengthening the ties between Brazil and the United Kingdom, as well as representing a unique international recognition of the Navy as a capable force ready to operate in various theaters of operation,” he said.
The G20 is an international economic cooperation forum created in 1999 in response to the economic crises of that decade. The group brings together the 19 largest economies in the world, the European Union, and, more recently, the African Union, with the aim of strengthening the international economy and discussing issues related to global socioeconomic development.
NAM Atlântico
The NAM Atlântico is an amphibious assault ship of the LPH type acquired by the Brazilian Navy in February 2018. Previously, it served between 1998 and 2018 in the Royal Navy under the name HMS Ocean, when it was renamed Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier Atlântico. On November 12, 2020, it was reclassified as a “Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier” due to its ability to operate remotely piloted aircraft.
Among its equipment are an Artisan 3D search radar and a KH1007 surveillance radar. It has four 30mm DS30M Mark 2 cannons for anti-aircraft defense. However, its original armament in this area, consisting of 3 MK 15 Block 1B Phalanx CIWS 20mm guns, was removed. It has a displacement of 21,500 tons and an operational range of 13,000 kilometers.
In 2022, the Brazilian Navy and the British company Babcock International Group signed an agreement for the maintenance of the ship. This agreement stipulates the provision of a comprehensive maintenance package for the life cycle of the NAM Atlântico over the next 4 years, as well as the transfer of knowledge to the Brazilian Navy for the development of a spare parts management system for the ship, both on board and in port facilities.
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