The Brazilian submarine Riachuelo, of the Scorpene type, will soon begin its sea trials for a period of one year, before its entry into service scheduled for October 2020. This is the first submarine of the Scorpene class, out of 4 units ordered by Brazil in 2008 for an amount of €6,7 billion including €4,1 billion for DCNS , today Naval Group. This 1870 ton submarine is 5 meters longer and 150 tons heavier than the Malaysian or Chilean Scorpene. Once in service, it will carry the new heavy anti-submarine torpedoes resulting from the collaboration between Naval Group and Thales F21 manufactured under license in Brazil, and the most advanced version of the Exocet anti-ship missile with medium change, the SM39 Block 2 mod 2.
The second ship of the class, the Humaitá, is due to be launched in September 2020, while the Tonolero and Angostura are to be launched in December 2021 and December 2022 respectively. Once in service, these 4 submersibles will operate alongside the 5 submersibles. -Tulip class sailors of Type 209 from TKMS, until the entry into service of the first Brazilian nuclear attack submarine, a program built with technological support from France. Initially planned to enter service in 2023, the construction of the first Brazilian SSN, on a planned fleet of 6 units, will only take place in 2025, following unfavorable budgetary decisions.
South America today represents a key market for European shipyards offering submarines, like Naval Group. Indeed, 20 Type-209 submarines are today in service in the Brazilian (5), Argentine (3), Chilean (2), Colombian (2), Venezuelan (2) and Peruvian (6) navies. These submersibles being between 15 and 35 years old, the question of their replacement now arises. Naval Group was able to position itself with the Scorpene, first in Chile which ordered 2 Scorpene which entered service in 2005 and 2006 to replace the British Oberon class submarines, followed by Brazil in 2008.