The latest addition to the Brazilian Navy’s fleet departed the UK in the snow for her new home in Rio de Janeiro where she will strengthen Brazil’s maritime security.
Apa is the second of three Amazonas Class Ocean Patrol Vessels being delivered to the Brazilian Navy by BAE Systems. Her sister ship, Amazonas, completed the crossing last year, while the final ship, Araguari, will be handed over in June.
BAE Systems employees and the Brazilian Navy support team, who are working in partnership to deliver the class of ships, gathered on the dockside at HM Naval Base Portsmouth where she departed.
Her journey of more than 10,000 miles will include diplomatic stops along the West coast of Europe and Africa before crossing the South Atlantic to reach her new home in May.
Apa’s 81 crew members completed Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) around the U.K. coast last week with the Royal Navy and support from BAE Systems. Their rigorous training schedule included simulations of operations that the ship is designed to undertake, including search and rescue, humanitarian relief, anti-piracy and boarding operations to tackle maritime violations such as trafficking.
The £133 million contract for the supply of the three Ocean Patrol Vessels and ancillary support services also includes a manufacturing license to enable further vessels of the same class to be constructed in Brazil, helping to support the country’s naval re-equipment program and strengthen its maritime industrial capability.
The 90-meter Amazonas Class ships are based on the design of the Royal Navy’s River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels and are ideal for providing maritime security in Brazil’s territorial waters, including the protection of the country’s oil and gas platforms.
The ships are equipped with a 30mm cannon and two 25mm guns, as well as two rigid inflatable boats and a helicopter flight deck. The ship contains additional accommodation for 50, designed for use by a boarding party of troops or passengers such as evacuees.
Apa and Araguari were constructed at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard and completed in Portsmouth, while Amazonas was constructed in Portsmouth.
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