SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Brazilian Navy has officially denied interest in procuring India’s Nilgiri-class frigates, citing budgetary limitations and a focus on its ongoing fleet modernization program, according to a report by idrw.org. Indian officials had proposed a customized version of the Nilgiri-class warships to Brazil in 2024, with negotiations for 4–6 frigates that included integration of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and technology transfer for local manufacturing.
However, Brazilian officials confirmed to idrw.org that no formal talks have been initiated due to financial constraints and commitments to existing procurement programs, notably the Tamandaré-class frigates and potential acquisition of amphibious warships from the United Kingdom.
The Brazilian Navy is in the midst of a significant modernization effort to bolster its maritime capabilities, particularly to protect the “Blue Amazon,” a vast maritime territory spanning over 4.5 million square kilometers. Central to this effort is the Tamandaré-class frigate program, which involves the construction of four stealth frigates based on the MEKO A-100 design by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, in collaboration with Embraer Defense & Security and Atech. The lead ship, F200 Tamandaré, was launched on August 9, 2024, at the Thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul shipyard in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, marking a milestone in Brazil’s naval shipbuilding ambitions.
The Tamandaré-class program, valued at approximately $2.2 billion for the first batch of four ships, is designed to replace aging Niterói-class frigates, Broadsword-class boats, and Inhaúma-class corvettes. Each frigate, costing around $555 million, features advanced stealth characteristics, a Hensoldt TRS-4D radar, Sea Ceptor air defense systems, and a high degree of local content—over 30% for the lead ship and 40% for subsequent vessels. The program, which began construction in 2022, is on track to deliver the first frigate by late 2025, with the remaining three expected by 2029.
Brazilian officials highlighted that the financial commitment to the Tamandaré-class program, combined with other modernization initiatives, has strained the navy’s budget, leaving little room for additional high-cost acquisitions like the Nilgiri-class frigates.
India’s proposal to supply modified Nilgiri-class frigates to Brazil was part of its broader push to expand defense exports and strengthen strategic ties with Latin American nations. The Nilgiri-class, part of India’s Project 17A, is a series of seven stealth frigates designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. The first frigate, INS Nilgiri, was commissioned on January 15, 2025, alongside the destroyer INS Surat and submarine INS Vagsheer, marking a landmark in India’s indigenous shipbuilding efforts.
Equipped with advanced sensors, BrahMos missiles, Barak-8 air defense systems, and modern aviation facilities for helicopters like the MH-60R, the Nilgiri-class frigates are among the Indian Navy’s most advanced platforms. India’s offer to Brazil included customization, integration of BrahMos missiles, and technology transfer to enable local production, aligning with Brazil’s emphasis on domestic industry involvement.
Despite the attractive offer, Brazilian officials cited the high cost—estimated at $500 million per frigate—and the navy’s prioritization of existing programs as reasons for not pursuing formal talks. The integration of American and Israeli systems in the Nilgiri-class, such as the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar, may also pose compatibility challenges with Brazil’s preference for European systems, as seen in the Tamandaré-class’s German and British components.
In addition to the Tamandaré-class program, the Brazilian Navy is exploring the acquisition of two Albion-class amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, from the United Kingdom. On April 2, 2025, the Brazilian Navy signed a Protocol of Intentions with the Royal Navy to evaluate the potential purchase of these 20,000-tonne warships, which were decommissioned by the UK in late 2024 due to budget cuts. The ships, designed to deploy troops and vehicles via landing craft and helicopters, would enhance Brazil’s amphibious and humanitarian response capabilities, particularly in disaster relief scenarios like the 2023 São Sebastião floods and 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods.
The Brazilian Navy has a history of acquiring British vessels, including the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean (now BNS Atlântico) in 2018 and Type 22 frigates in the 1990s. Brazilian officials have conducted initial technical inspections of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, with discussions ongoing for a government-to-government deal. The acquisition, if finalized, would position Brazil as a leading amphibious power in South America, surpassing the UK’s current capabilities, which rely on three smaller Bay-class landing ships and the aging RFA Argus.
However, the purchase of these high-maintenance vessels, with annual running costs of over £10 million each, further constrains Brazil’s naval budget. The recent £72 million refit of HMS Bulwark adds to the financial considerations, as Brazil would need to invest in crew training and maintenance infrastructure to operate these complex platforms.
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