Verolme To Build Two Corvettes For $50 Million For Brazilian Navy

Contracts have been signed by Verolme do Brasil, Brazil's leading shipbuilder, for the construction of two corvettes of 2,000-ton displacement for the Brazilian Navy. Both vessels are scheduled for delivery in 1989 at a total price of $50 million, which does not include the cost of owner-supplied items such as main propulsion, weaponry, and electronic navigation and communications equipment. Construction will begin in January and February 1987.

These ships will be the first warships ever built in a privately owned Brazilian shipyard in modern times, and form part of a long-term plan aimed at modernizing the Navy of Brazil. Two other corvettes of the Almirante Inhauma Class are currently under construction at the Brazilian Navy's own shipyard in Rio de Janeiro, Arsenal da Marinha.

At present, Verolme do Brasil has an enviable orderbook totaling some $385 million, which includes 10 ships and one offshore drilling rig.

The Almirante Inhauma Class corvette was designed by the Brazilian Navy to provide short- and longrange coastal defense and escort protection for coastal and oceangoing convoys. Both of the Verolmebuilt corvettes, which will have a maximum sustained speed of 26 knots, will be fitted with helicopter decks and hangars. Overall length will be 314.2 feet and beam 37.4 feet.

Main propulsion will be a CODOG system with a gas turbine and two 3,620-bhp diesel engines driving two controllable-pitch propellers.

The weapons system will include one 4.5-inch Vickers MK 8 gun, two 40/70 single automatic guns, four Exocet MM-38 or MM-40 missiles in two twin launchers, two triple MK 46 torpedo tube launchers, one Linx helicopter for anti-submarine and surface action, and two Chaff launchers.

For free brochures detailing all services and facilities of Verolme do Brasil, C i r c l e 9 4 on Reader Service Card

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