SSNs and SSBNs can't be exported. We can only expect R&D and technology imports through offsets.
Also, we are getting a replacement for the Chakra, and we will be good until 2035. So there's no need for another submarine.
Brazil: PROSUB - The Submarine Development Program
January 15, 2020 Patrick DELEURY
In this article on the advancement of Brazilian Navy programs, focusing on the Basic Shipbuilding Project sub-programs that already have physical execution, we bring the PROSUB - Submarine Development Program.
The data come from a document provided by the Ministry of Defense, in July 2019, to the CREDN - Commission for External Relations and National Defense, in response to a request for information.
It has three main objectives, namely:
- the construction of a shipyard and a naval base (EBN),
- the construction of four conventional submarines (S-BR)
- the construction of a nuclear powered submarine (SN-BR).
Descriptive summary of the physical execution currently deployed and annual forecast of the physical implementation deployed by the end of the project
The schedule for delivery by the end of the project aims to follow the values presented by objective and in percentages:
- S-BR - delivery target of 63.8% in 2018, 11% in 2019 and expected completion in 2023;
- SN-BR - delivery target of 18.30% in 2018, 11.64% in 2019 and expected completion in 2032;
- EBN - delivery target of 63.30% in 2018, 2% in 2019 and expected completion in 2028.
Underwater construction
Riachuelo - S40 type submarine Provides for the construction of conventional submarines S-BR 1 - Riachuelo, S-BR 2 Humaitá, S-BR 3 Tonelero and S-BR 4 Angostura according to the following actions undertaken and to be undertaken from 2019:
- S-BR 1 - Riachuelo: launch launched in December 2018 and throughout 2019 operational tests are planned for the delivery of the submarine to the operational sector in 2020;
- S-BR 2 - Humaitá: Completion of structural work, termination of pipes, equipment and electric cables. In October 2019 will be the last union of its sections, the launch in 2020 and the delivery of the submarine to the operating sector in 2021;
- S-BR 3 - Tonelero: Completed the fabrication and installation of heavy hull appendages, as well as the fabrication and installation of tanks and supports. The launch is scheduled for 2021 and the delivery of the submarine to the operating sector in 2022; and
- S-BR 4 - Angostura: The fabrication of the resistant hull structures is completed and the external and internal tanks and non-resistant structures are started. The launch is scheduled for December 2022 and the delivery of the submarine to the operating sector in December 2023;
SN-BR - Project to build a nuclear powered submarine in accordance with the following actions and to be undertaken from 2019 :
- Between 2010 and 2013 technological training took place in France and Brazil, for engineers (underwater design, detailed design and integrated logistical support);
- Structural project of the qualification section SN-BR, focused on the preparation of manpower and industrial capacities), Itaguaí Naval Constructions (ICN);
- Between February 2010 and February 2022, the initial phase of the SN-BR project process was inserted;
- Obtaining of the partial construction permit of SN-BR by the Naval Agency for Nuclear Safety and Quality;
- In February 2022, the signing of the terms of the addendum to the construction contract, the agreement on the material package with the respective credit and financial contribution for the modification is expected;
- In October 2022, the construction of the SN-BR is expected to begin, later the construction and assembly of the nuclear propulsion plant; and
- Discharge into the sea, criticism of the SN-BR nuclear propulsion plant,
- Acceptance tests, port tests, sea tests and transfer to the operating sector in 2032.
Shipyard and Naval Base (EBN)
- Itaguaí - Estaleiro e Naval Base
- Itaguaí Naval Complex - Shipyard and Naval Base
- It will house a naval command and control structure, submarine crew maintenance organizations, logistics and training organizations, and indicates the main objectives already achieved and expected delivery plans by the end of PROSUB:
Main constructions delivered by 2018: seven (7) submarine berths and one (1) auxiliary dock, steel fabrication facility, lift, electrical substation, submarine crew building, battery activation workshop and simulator building.
Major constructions planned from 2019 to 2028 at the naval base, the maintenance yard and the specialized maintenance complex: integrated control centers, 138 KV transmission line, coastal road, fire department and administrative buildings, light support workshop and weather towers.
National and international companies participating in the project
Construtora Norberto Odebrecht (CNO), Itaguaí Naval Constructions (ICN), Sepetiba Bay Consortium (made up of CNO and ICN), Naval Group (France) and hundreds of other companies which together would represent less than 5% of the allocated budget;
Technical and budgetary obstacles
Humaitá submarine (left) under construction next to Riachuelo submarine (right), June 2019
Technical: Supply of material imported from France for the construction of submarines, adequate training of personnel to design and build submarines, identification of national companies capable of nationalizing submarine systems / equipment and maintenance of technical training of submarines. submarines. Future logistical support for submarines is controlled by PROSUB risk management and the necessary mitigation actions are taken without impacting the program.
Budget: The budgetary constraints imposed on the project, from 2015, led the Brazilian navy to prioritize the work inherent to the site, so as not to impact the construction schedule of the S-BR. stopping the lower priority works of the maintenance shipyard and the naval base, which are gradually started / resumed, but on a smaller scale than desired. The start of construction of the Specialized Maintenance Complex (CME) has been postponed, with an estimated delay of around four years to the completion of the EBN project, which is now scheduled for 2028.
The amount of 947 million reais allocated to the LOA-2019 for the budgetary actions that make up PROSUB represents a reduction of around 47% compared to the 2018 credit and is insufficient to allow the proper continuation of the program.
The lack of budgetary resources guaranteed in LOA-2019, necessary for the continued development of the Navy's nuclear program (PNM) and the SN-BR nuclear power plant, prevents the hiring of new applications. execution of services and purchase of equipment. These restrictions on the nuclear power plant may also have a direct impact on the completion of the construction of the SN-BR, undermining the entire SN-BR program,because they would lead to a possible delay in payment of stages which could ultimately even be subject to the Brazilian Navy for the cancellation of all contracts by one of the participating companies.
Humaitá submarine under construction in October 2019
The international PROSUB financing agreement is in effect until February 2025 and, if the execution of the commercial contracts of the program exceeds this deadline, it will be necessary to renegotiate the extension of the disbursement period, probably under less favorable conditions than those obtained in 2009., when the international economic situation was favorable in Brazil and there was no downgrade in the country's rating, conferred by traditional international risk agencies.
The contingency and the decontamination of resources, during the same year, are the main causes of the need for successive increases and decreases in the pace of work, which can lead to the dismissal of approximately 1,500 CNO employees, in charge of EBN construction work, possible loss of knowledge and compromise of project memory.
In addition, it significantly hampers their planning, which can lead to shortages or leftover resources at the end of the year, in addition to the one-year delay in completing the work resulting in an increase in the overall value of the project. project of approximately 150 million reais per year, due to indirect expenditure with operational support; maintenance of installations and equipment; demobilization; the new mobilization of equipment and personnel; and the basic environmental plan, among others.
Despite the efforts made by MB to increase the budget level of the Force, due to the serious budgetary crisis that the country has experienced in recent years, coupled with adjustment measures aimed at balancing the public accounts, such as the new regime tax. In fact, the amounts allocated to MB's budget were in fact not sufficient to cover the investments required to adequately respond to these important programs related to the construction of the naval core.