The Tamandaré-class Frigate Program (PFCT), one of the Brazilian Navy’s most ambitious strategic projects, continues to make steady progress with the integration of its main technological systems. The first ship of this new class, the frigate Tamandaré (F200), has entered its final construction phase and is preparing to begin sea trials starting in July 2025, with delivery expected by the end of this year. Meanwhile, the other two frigates — Jerônimo de Albuquerque (F201), which is in an advanced stage of development and expected to be launched in the second half of 2025; and Cunha Moreira (F202), currently in the assembly phase — are also progressing.
The ship is already equipped with two key operational systems: the Combat Management System (CMS) and the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). The CMS, developed in collaboration between Brazilian company Atech and Germany’s Atlas Elektronik, enables the integration of the 22 components of the combat system, ensuring continuous situational awareness and effective deployment of onboard weaponry.
Continuing with the combat capabilities, it is worth highlighting the armament that these frigates will be equipped with: the MSS MANSUP anti-ship missile system, developed by Brazilian company SIATT in cooperation with the Brazilian Navy; MBDA Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missiles; a Rheinmetall Sea Snake 30 mm gun; SEA TLS-TT torpedo launch system; Terma C-Guard decoy and chaff launcher; and the previously mentioned Oto Melara-Leonardo 76/62 mm naval gun.
The IPMS — the result of a partnership between Atech and Canada’s L3Harris — allows for the monitoring and control of 68 integrated systems, covering propulsion, power generation and distribution, auxiliary systems, and damage control.
The frigate Tamandaré is being built at the TKMS Brasil Sul shipyard in the city of Itajaí (Santa Catarina) by the Special Purpose Entity “Águas Azuis”, a consortium formed by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Embraer Defesa & Segurança, and Atech, under the coordination of the Brazilian Navy’s project management company EMGEPRON.
The program includes the construction of a total of four frigates, which will be delivered to the Brazilian Navy progressively through 2029. Thanks to the joint development of the CMS and IPMS systems and a robust technology transfer program, the Tamandaré project represents a milestone in consolidating strategic capabilities for Brazil’s defense industry, placing the country at a new level of technological and operational autonomy.
Images courtesy of EMGEPRON.
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