Tamandaré-class frigate

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Tamandaré
Class overview
NameTamandaré class
BuildersTKMS
Operators Brazilian Navy
Preceded by
CostUS$555 million per unit (est.)[1]
Built2022–present
In commission2026–present
Planned8[2]
Building3
Completed1
Active1
General characteristics
TypeGeneral-purpose frigate
Displacement3.500 t (3.445 long tons)
Length107.2 m (351 ft 8 in)
Beam16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Draught5.2 m (17 ft 1 in)
Installed power4 × Caterpillar C32 diesel generators 1,417 kW each
Propulsion
  • CODAD
  • 4 × MAN V12 28/33D 5,460 kW (7,320 hp) each
  • 2 × propeller shafts, 5-bladed controllable pitch propellers
  • Total output: 21,280 kW (28,540 shp)
Speed
  • Maximum: 25.5 knots (47.2 km/h; 29.3 mph)
  • Economy: 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Range5,500 nmi (10,200 km; 6,300 mi)
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × RHIBs
Complementc. 130
Sensors &
processing systems
  • Atlas ANCS combat management system
  • Hensoldt TRS-4D AESA C-band multi-function radar
  • Anschütz NSX X-band navigation radar
  • Atlas ASO 713 hull-mounted sonar
  • Thales STIR 1.2 EO fire control radar
  • Safran PASEO XLR electro-optical system
  • Identification Friend or Foe system
  • SATCOM system
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • Omnisys MAGE Defensor ESM system
  • Terma C-Guard decoy launching system
Armament
Aircraft carried
NotesSources:[5][6][7][8][9]

The Tamandaré class is a series of stealth frigates being built for the Brazilian Navy by the German shipyard ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in association with the defense division of Embraer in the Brazilian city of Itajaí. The class it is based on the Blohm+Voss Mehrzweck-Kombination (MEKO) family of warships and entered in service in 2026.

History

Batch 1

The program was created in 2017 with the main purpose of replacing all the current major surface combatants of the Niterói-class frigates in operation since 1975, the Broadsword-class boats acquired second-hand from the United Kingdom in the 1990s, and the Inhaúma-class corvettes.[10] Several companies from seventeen countries entered in the competition opened by the Ministry of Defence, offering different types of projects and offset packages. The list of all participating companies was released on 16 May 2017.[11]

After more than a year of studies by the Directorate of Program Management of the Navy and the Naval Projects Management Company, the short-list of the finalist projects was released in October 2018, the selected projects were: ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and the MEKO A-100, the Sigma-class of Damen Group, the Gowind-class of Naval Group and Fincantieri with Brazilian Navy's indigenous project variant.[12]

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems with a 3,500-ton MEKO A-100-class variant was declared winner in March 2019, with the contract for the first batch of four units signed on 6 March 2020.[13] In January 2021, ThyssenKrupp confirmed the acquisition of the Oceana shipyard in Itajaí, becoming the company's first shipyard in Latin America, with the objective of building the new Brazilian frigates.[14] The construction of the lead ship, Tamandaré, started in September 2022 and the launch ceremony of the boat took place in August 2024.[15] As of November 2023, each ship of the first batch cost around $555 million (R$2.77 billion), the total program cost was reported $2.2 billion.[1]

Batch 2

The Brazilian Navy announced plans to build a second batch of four more units in August 2024,[15] confirming the National Maritime Strategy published by the MoD in 2023.[16] On 7 November 2025, was reported that a negotiation for additional ships "would begin in the coming months".[17] In February 2026, the Brazilian Navy confirmed the construction of a second batch of more four boats.[18][19] On 20 April 2026, the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva together with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced four additional boats,[20][21][22] with the German and Brazilian defense ministries signing an agreement on the same day.[23][24][25]

On 24 April 2026, the Brazilian Navy signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with TKMS and Embraer for four more ships with the new contract with an estimated cost around $2 billion (R$10 billion).[26] The Batch 2 ships may be equipped with a 200 km extended range variant of national built MANSUP anti-ship missile, and the Strales system with DART guided ammunition within the Oto Melara 76 mm main gun.[26][27]

Design

Aerial view of Tamandaré

The class was based on the MEKO family of warships, a concept of modern naval shipbuilding based on modularity of armament, electronics and other equipment, aiming at ease of maintenance and cost reduction. Designed as multi-mission vessels, the class is able to fulfill the anti-aircraft warfare role with Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missiles, anti-surface warfare with the Brazilian MANSUP missiles, and anti-submarine warfare. The class was developed with the two island philosophy.[28]

Tamandaré is equipped with the Hensoldt TRS-4D active electronically scanned array radar, able to track 1,000 targets at a range of up to 250 km (160 mi).[29] The combat management system (CMS) and the integrated platform management system (IPMS), designed by Atech, a subsidiary of Embraer, are a version derived from the Atlas ANCS and L3 Mapps, exclusively designed to meet the Brazilian requirements.[30]

Rheinmetall, a German defense company, is responsible for the supply of its new close-in weapon system, Sea Snake, armed with a 30 mm revolver cannon with ABM (air burst ammunition) capability.[31] The MAGE Defensor suite responsible for the electronic warfare support measures (ESM), electronic countermeasure (ECM) and the electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) systems of the class, was developed by the Brazilian company Omnisys.[32] The class is fitted for, but not equipped with land-attack cruise missiles.[3] The ships are equipped with the Anschütz SYNAPSIS Integrated Navigation and Bridge System (INBS).[33]

Participation of Brazilian companies

Like other major defense programs in the country, the government demanded the construction of the ships in Brazil, the participation of Brazilian companies in the industrial process and the transfer of technologies.[10] Embraer, along its subsidiary Atech, are responsible for the integration of systems and sensors of the class, other companies like Akaer which is involved in the industrial process, building and nationalizing components and parts,[34] and Usiminas supplying the steel, are responsible for the reduction of costs and foreign dependence.[35] The ammunition for the Oto Melara 76 mm naval gun will be produced domestically, including the VULCANO variant.[36] Around 40% of each ship's parts are produced in the country.[37]

Ships

No. Name Builder Status Contract Laid down Launched Comm. Notes
 Brazilian Navy
Tamandaré class (4 ordered + 4 planned)
F200 Tamandaré TKMS, Itajaí, Brazil Active 6 Mar 2020
[38]		 24 Mar 2023
[39]		 9 Aug 2024
[40]		 24 Apr 2026
[41]
F201 Jerônimo de Albuquerque Fitting out 6 Jun 2024
[42]		 8 Aug 2025
[43]		 2027
[44]
F202 Cunha Moreira Fitting out 5 Jun 2025
[45]		 26 Jun 2026
[46]		 2028
[44]
F203 Mariz e Barros Under construction Oct 2026
[44]		 Nov 2027
[44]		 2029
[44]		 First steel cut in Jan 2026.[47]
F204 TBD Planned TBD
[22][26]		 –

 –

 –

 Announced in Apr 2026.[20]
F205 TBD Planned –

 –

 –

F206 TBD Planned –

 –

 –

F207 TBD Planned –

 –

 –

  Planned dates

Export

In April 2026, was reported an interest by the Portuguese Navy in the Brazilian built class.[48]

See also

Equivalent frigates of the same era

Notes

  1. Fitted to hold land-attack and anti-ship missiles[3]
  2. Armed with Penguin anti-ship missiles, or Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes
  3. Armed with Exocet anti-ship missiles

References

  1. "Classe Tamandaré: contrato foi reajustado para mais de 11 bilhões de reais no ano passado". Poder Naval (in Portuguese). 10 November 2023.
  2. @marmilbr (9 August 2024). "É hoje (09) o Lançamento da Fragata "Tamandaré", o primeiro dos quatro navios que estão sendo construídos na Thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul em Itajaí (SC), parte do Programa Fragatas Classe "Tamadaré". Observe o infográfico e conheça mais!" (Tweet) (in Portuguese) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  3. "El legado de la Clase Niterói: Brasil está a un paso de la botadura de la primera fragata clase Tamandaré". Infodefensa (in Spanish). 19 July 2024.
  4. "La Armada de Chile conoce el programa de construcción de las fragatas clase Tamandaré de la Marina de Brasil". Infodefensa (in Spanish). 9 April 2025.
  5. "Brasil inicia construcción de fragatas clase Tamandaré". Pucara (in Spanish). 9 September 2022.
  6. "Navio de guerra da Marinha construído em SC faz parte de projeto bilionário de defesa nacional". G1 (in Portuguese). 8 August 2024.
  7. "Fragatas Classe Tamandaré estão em fase avançada de configuração". Defesa Aerea e Naval (in Portuguese). 10 June 2021.
  8. "Brasil activa la unidad que desplegará los RPAS ScanEagle desde las fragatas Tamandaré". Infodefensa (in Spanish). 14 July 2022.
  9. "Brasil coloca la quilla de la fragata Jerônimo de Albuquerque F-201, la segunda de la clase Tamandaré". Infodefensa (in Spanish). 7 June 2024.
  10. "Programa Fragatas Classe Tamandaré". Marinha do Brasil (in Portuguese). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  11. "Classe Tamandaré - Marinha do Brasil encerra a primeira etapa do projeto de obtenção". Defesa Net (in Portuguese). 16 May 2017.
  12. "Marinha do Brasil divulga short-list do Projeto classe Tamandaré". Poder Naval (in Portuguese). 15 October 2018.
  13. "Marinha compra quatro fragatas por R$ 9,1 bilhões". UOL (in Portuguese). 4 March 2020.
  14. "Estaleiro responsável por construir as fragatas Classe Tamandaré agora é thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul". Defesa Aérea & Naval (in Portuguese). 12 January 2021.
  15. "La Armada de Brasil presenta la primera Fragata Tamandaré". Pucará Defensa (in Spanish). 9 August 2024. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024.
  16. "Brazil's National Maritime Strategy" (PDF). Poder Naval (in Portuguese). Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 June 2024.
  17. Victor Barreira (Janes) [@Defence360] (7 November 2025). "Parece que a EMGEPRON (Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais) vai nos próximos meses iniciar negociações com o Consórcio Águas Azuis (formado pelas tkMS, @embraer e Atech Negócios em Tecnologias) para adquirir fragatas adicionais para a @marmilbr" (Tweet) (in Portuguese) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  18. "Marinha do Brasil contratará segundo lote de fragatas classe Tamandaré, elevando frota para oito navios". Poder Naval (in Portuguese). 10 February 2026.
  19. "La Marina de Brasil avanzaría en la construcción de cuatro fragatas clase Tamandaré adicionales". Zona Militar (in Spanish). 11 February 2026.
  20. Mariante, José Henrique (21 April 2026). "Em Hannover, Lula e Merz ensaiam diálogo entre potências médias". Folha de São Paulo (in Portuguese).
  21. "Lula confirma na Alemanha a compra de mais quatro fragatas Tamandaré, elevando frota para oito navios". Poder Naval (in Portuguese). 21 April 2026.
  22. "Brazilian Navy to order four more Tamandaré-class Frigates". Naval News. 21 April 2026.
  23. "Brasilien will bis zu vier weitere Tamandaré-Fregatten kaufen". Hartpunkt (in German). 20 April 2026.
  24. "Brasil assina na Alemanha "Carta de Intenções" para mais 4 Fragatas Classe Tamandaré". Defesa Aérea e Naval (in Portuguese). 21 April 2026.
  25. "Brasil adquire mais Fragatas da Classe Tamandaré". Tecnologia e Defesa (in Portuguese). 21 April 2026.
  26. "Marinha recebe a 1.ª fragata Tamandaré; Brasil e Alemanha assinam carta para a compra de mais quatro". Estadão (in Portuguese). 24 April 2026.
  27. "El presidente de Brasil confirma la construción de un segundo lote de cuatro fragatas clase Tamandaré". Infodefensa (in Spanish). 22 April 2026.
  28. "Competitividade é palavra-chave para fornecedores do projeto das fragatas". FIESC (in Portuguese). 23 September 2020.
  29. "TRS-4D rotating antenna". Hensoldt. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  30. "LAAD: Tecnologias da Atech estão presentes em projetos estratégicos de defesa no Brasil". Defesa Aérea e Naval. March 27, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  31. "Sea Snake 30 brochure" (PDF). Rheinmetall. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 May 2024.
  32. "MAGE Defensor brochure" (PDF). Omnisys (in Portuguese). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 July 2024.
  33. "Brazil's First Tamandaré-class Frigate Sets Sail with SYNAPSIS Navigation System". Naval News. 18 February 2026.
  34. "Akaer entrega as primeiras três escotilhas para a Fragata Tamandaré". Defesa Aérea e Naval. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  35. "Fragatas Tamandaré – Usiminas fornece aço para fragatas da Marinha do Brasil". DefesaNet. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  36. "Brasil fabricará localmente munição para os canhões 76/62 SR das fragatas Tamandaré". Infodefensa (in Portuguese). 31 March 2023.
  37. "Comenzó la construcción de la tercera de las nuevas fragatas clase Tamandaré de la Marina de Brasil". Zona Militar (in Spanish). 16 November 2024.
  38. "Marinha compra quatro fragatas por R$ 9,1 bilhões". UOL (in Portuguese). 4 March 2020.
  39. "Press release" (PDF). mar.mil.br (in Portuguese). 24 March 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2024.
  40. "Fragata Tamandaré é lançada ao mar em cerimônia com presença de Lula". Agência Brasil (in Portuguese). 9 August 2024. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024.
  41. "Fragata Tamandaré F200 é incorporado à frota da Marinha". Metropoles (in Portuguese). 24 April 2026. Archived from the original on 24 April 2026.
  42. Storto, Margarete (6 June 2024). "Batimento de Quilha do segundo navio marca avanço no Programa Fragatas Classe Tamandaré". thyssenkrupp (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 7 June 2024.
  43. Souza, Ricardo (8 August 2025). "Fragata 'Jerônimo de Albuquerque' é lançada em SC com a presença do vice-presidente do Brasil". Portal SSC 10 (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 8 August 2025.
  44. "Além da Fragata Tamandaré, Marinha vai incorporar outros navios de guerra construídos em SC; conheça". G1 (in Portuguese). 24 April 2026.
  45. "Marinha realizou o Batimento de Quilha da Fragata 'Cunha Moreira' (F 202)". Defesa Aérea e Naval (in Portuguese). 5 June 2025. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025.
  46. Venâncio, Júlia (26 June 2026). "Sistema de mísseis e canhões de última geração: como é a Fragata Cunha Moreira, novo navio de guerra da Marinha". G1 (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 26 June 2026.
  47. "La Marina de Brasil inició la construcción de la fragata "Mariz e Barros", cuarta de la Clase Tamandaré". Pucará Defensa (in Spanish). 9 January 2026.
  48. Victor Barreira (Janes) [@Defence360] (21 April 2026). "@navalgroup e @thalesdefence não desistiram de fornecer fragatas FDI a Portugal. Deverá ser um dos concorrentes para o próximo lote para a @MarinhaPT. Encontrará pela frente a MEKO A-100MB da Águas Azuis. Os decisores da @MarinhaPT queriam a MEKO A-100MB para o primeiro lote" (Tweet) (in Portuguese) – via X (formerly Twitter).