Article Posted on : - Jul 18, 2011

A file photo.

RIO DE JANEIRO (BNS): Construction of the four Scorpene-class attack submarines for the Brazilian Navy has begun at a plant near Rio de Janeiro, a media report said.

“The construction of the submarines was an important step that would help the Brazilian Navy reaches a new level of technological development,” RIA Novosti quoted Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff at the launch function of the submarine on Saturday as saying.

In 2008, France and Brazil has signed a $4.25-billion contract for the construction of the Scorpene-class attack submarines which is jointly developed by France and Spain.

The Scorpene-class submarines will be equipped with six 533-mm torpedo tubes for 18 torpedoes or SM.39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, or 30 mines in place of torpedoes but the air-independent propulsion (AIP) system will not be fitted with the submarine, it said.

The first submarine is expected to enter into service by 2017.