Brazil Gets Ready for War and Buys a Used Helicopter Carrier from Britain

Brazil has now confirmed the purchase of British helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, according to a report in the UKdefensejournal. “We were informed by a source in the Brazilian defense community that the vessel has been sold for £84 million (US$ 114 million).

Brazilian journalist Roberto Lopes has informed us that the purchase of HMS Ocean by the Brazilian Navy was confirmed within the last week by Brazilian Defense Minister Raul Jungmann”.

“We understand the first group of four Brazilian officers will head to the UK within the next few weeks.

“We also understand that there are doubts over the retention of the Phalanx CIWS by Brazil but are unsure regarding the reasons why. The vessel will remain in the UK until October or November this year”.

The news had been anticipated by UKdj last March and in April it was reported that the Brazilian Navy had reportedly sent a proposal to pay for helicopter carrier HMS Ocean in installments.

HMS Ocean is the UK’s only helicopter carrier and the fleet flagship of the Royal Navy. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force.

According to Roberto Lopes in an e-mail, the ship’s cost to the Brazilian Navy is fixed at £84.3 million pounds (US$ 114 million).

Commander of the Brazilian Navy, Admiral Eduardo Leal Ferreira, claimed that the price of Ocean seemed “convenient”. Then this week, IHS Janes reported that Brazil’s MoD authorized efforts to purchase Ocean once she leaves UK service.

“We understand from Roberto Lopes via e-mail, the source who let us know that Brazil has already submitted a payment plan for the vessel, that the officers involved in the ship acquisition process are optimistic and are already discussing details beyond the technical and financial assessments that have been made, such as the name of the ship”.

“Minas Gerais is the strongest designation at the time. Rio de Janeiro was saved for the future aircraft carrier. However, nothing definite. Only with the execution of the acquisition is that defined.”

The helicopter carrier was constructed in the mid-1990s and commissioned in September 1998. In November 2015, the MoD confirmed that HMS Ocean is to be decommissioned in 2018, as the new aircraft carriers of the QE II class become operational.

In 2016 HMS Ocean (L12) carried the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime) Task Group on deployment to the Mediterranean and Gulf. This Amphibious Task Group included HMS Bulwark, HMS Ocean, Ministry of Defense Strategic Ro-Ro vessel, MV Eddystone and 42 Commando. ‘

In her role as a helicopter carrier and amphibious assault ship, Ocean is designed to deliver troops by helicopter or by landing craft – the ship has six helicopters and carries four Mk5 landing craft vehicle and personnel (LCVP).

In Brazil the Navy has decided to abandon the refit of the aircraft carrier São Paulo and decommission the vessel after a series of technical issues and accidents. Rectification costs are understood to be a major factor in this decision.

The São Paulo is a Clemenceau class aircraft carrier commissioned in 1963 by the French Navy as Foch and was transferred in 2000 to Brazil, where she became the new flagship of the Brazilian Navy. The earlier intention of the navy was that the vessel would continue in active service until 2039, at which time the vessel would be nearly 80 years old.

IHS Janes reported that during its career with the Brazilian Navy, São Paulo has suffered from ‘serviceability issues and has never managed to operate for more than three months at a time without the need for repairs and maintenance’.

Once operated AF-1/1A (Skyhawk) attack fighters and KC-2 (C-1 Trader) flying tankers, the fixed wing fleet operated by the Brazilian Naval Aviation (AvN) has shrunk to three aircraft.

Absent of a carrier deck to train on, this small component is likely to retire or be converted to operate from land. Once accepted into service, the Ocean will be able to carry the growing fleet of rotary-wing aircraft operated by the AvN, which includes Super Lynx, Sea King, S-70B, and EC-725.

Mercopress

You May Also Like

Jair Bolsonaro, the moment he is hit by a knife

Brazil’s Right-Wing Presidential Frontrunner Survives Assassination Attempt

The dramatic stabbing of firebrand right-wing politician Jair Bolsonaro was caught on video and ...

Lula being carried by his fans after leaving prison

Brazil’s Supreme Court Decision Frees Lula and Thousands Others from Jail

Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva walked free from jail on Friday ...

Karl Marx (1818-1883), philosopher, author, social theorist, and economist.

Thanks to Bolsonaro the Cultural Marxism Conspiracy is Alive and Well in Brazil

“Cultural Marxism” is a right-wing conspiracy theory that accuses the Frankfurt School — comprised ...

Xu Zhen as produced by MadeIn, Under Heaven, Oil on canvas, aluminum, 2013.

A SPECTRAL BELT AND ROAD BEYOND THE BACKYARD AND BRICS: A light for Brazilians glimmers from Asia

As the pullout from Afghanistan unfolds into new geopolitical prospects for its powerful neighbors, ...

Excuse us for the mess. We're changing the country.

Mapping Brazil’s Political Polarization Online

People increasingly use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter as their primary source ...

Brazil House Approves Constitutional Amendment Limiting Public Spending for 20 Years

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies on Monday night (October 10) voted 366-111 (with two abstentions) ...

A patient gets to ambulance in Manaus, Brazil Amazonas state, which is short of oxygen

Covid: Manaus, Inside the Brazilian Rain Forest, Begs the World for Oxygen

Amazonas state in northern Brazil has admitted it is running short of oxygen to ...