In September 2019, a Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil) reservist was conducting a technical exchange in India to evaluate the IAC-1 design (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1), the future INS Vikrant (Poder naval, “Marinha do Brasil avalia projecto de porta-aviões indiano”, October 17, 2019) while India must launch the IAC-3 program, the future INS Vishaal with catapults and arresting strands.
Le Plan of Articulation and Equipment of Marine do Brasil (PAEMB) of 2009 is the naval version of theNational Defense Strategy (December 18, 2008). The PAEMB covers the period 2009 – 2030 with forecasts for the efforts to be produced in the following period (2030 – 2047). The execution of naval programs is entrusted to the Diretoria de Gestão de Programas Estratégicos da Marinha (DgePEM). The two main PAEMB programs are the Program for obtaining benefits from SUPerfície (PROSUPER) and SUBbmarinos development program (PROSUB).
PROSUPER has the ambition to acquire two new aircraft carriers of approximately 45 to 000 tonnes (~ 60 combat aircraft plus aerial surveillance aircraft and helicopters) over the periods 000 – 30 and 2023 – 2031. disarmament of the old Foch in November 2018 and its replacement by the ex-HMS Ocean in July 2018, renamed NAé Atlantic, symbolically leaves Latin America without aircraft carriers.
The modernization program of the former French aircraft carrier (2015 and 2019) went hand in hand with those covering the modernization of fixed-wing aircraft, the Aeronaves Modernization and Obtainment Program:
- 4 single-seaters and 2 two-seaters AF-1 Falcão (ex-A-4KU Skyhawk II Kuwaiti) of the 12 machines provided were modernized, the last returning to service in April 2019;
- The four KC-2s Turbo Trader also benefit from a heavy modernization, the first should be delivered in 2021 with its full operational capabilities.
SAAB continues to offer the Gripen Mr. La Marinha do Brasil remains convinced that the acquisition of aircraft carriers is compatible with Brazilian capabilities, hence the conservation of fixed-wing aircraft.
During the presentation of the future aircraft carrier program by the Diretoria de Gestão de Programas Estratégicos da Marinha (DgePEM) in February 2018, it appears that all the aero-naval sectors are investigated: since the Juan Carlos I Spanish (27 tonnes) with ADAV/STOVL aircraft up to a catapult and arresting line aircraft carrier (CATOBAR) with conventional propulsion or developed from the plans of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (43 tonnes). This last avenue being compared to the purchase of a nuclear attack submarine hull devoid of its nuclear parts from France, in addition to the four S-BRs (Scorpène-Brasil).
The technical exchange with the Indian Navy is not the first of its kind and the Brazilian naval staff appears very active on the issue. For example, Beijing concluded a naval aviation agreement with Brazil in 2010 relating to the training of future Chinese embarked pilots. Nothing has yet been said about the compensation obtained for this service rendered to China, which has not (yet?) shown its interest in Brazilian naval aviation ambition.
This tends to confirm the interest of the Marinha do Brasil for an aircraft carrier with catapults and arresting strands with a tonnage of approximately 30 to 000 tonnes. The DEAC (DCNS Evolved Aircraft Carrier) arouse the interest of Brazil. INS plans Vikrant (40 tonnes), its general dimensions and operational characteristics are compatible with Brazilian naval aeronautical objectives.