Navy receives third PROSUB submarine

On Wednesday (27), the Brazilian Navy will launch the third conventional diesel-electric submarine built under the Submarine Development Program (PROSUB), named “Tonelero (S42)”. The vessel was built by Itaguaí Construções Navais, a company formed by the French Naval Group and Novonor.

The launch ceremony will take place at the Itaguaí Naval Complex in Rio de Janeiro and will be attended by the presidents of Brazil and France.

The name “Tonelero” refers to the main naval action of the Imperial Brazilian Navy in the Plata War. The other two completed submarines, “Riachuelo” and “Humaitá”, are also named after battles won by the Brazilian Navy.

The OEC is responsible for constructing  all of PROSUB’s infrastructure, such as the building that will house the Submarine Force Command, which was delivered in January this year. The structure has a four-storey building in a built-up area of almost 5,000 square meters and is expected to house a total of more than 200 people.

Tonelero

At 71.6 meters long and weighing 1,870 tons, the new submarine will be equipped with missiles, torpedoes and modern sensors. It will be able to sail at a depth of more than 250 meters, at a speed of 37 km/h, operate for more than 70 days in a row, with a capacity for around 70 military personnel. After being launched into the sea, it will undergo tests to assess its combat and navigation systems, as well as its stability.

The Tonelero is one of PROSUB’s four conventionally powered submarines. Two others have already been delivered: Humaitá, in January this year, and Riachuelo, in September 2022. The last of the four conventional submarines to be delivered will be the Angostura, which is still being built. Then it will be the turn of the Álvaro Alberto nuclear-powered submarine.