Boat handling system ties Danish supplier to Brazil’s naval programme

Danish firm SH Defence has delivered a stern port and ramp system for the Brazilian Navy’s Tamandaré-class frigates, embedding its launch and recovery technology within one of Latin America’s most closely watched naval recapitalisation programmes.

The system is fully integrated into the frigates’ mission architecture and is designed to enable the safe and efficient launch and recovery of boats and mission equipment at sea.

The frigates are being developed under the Programa Fragatas Classe “Tamandaré” (PFCT), which will deliver four multi-role frigates to renew Brazil’s ageing surface fleet. 

Construction is taking place in Brazil through the Águas Azuis consortium, comprising Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech. Beyond fleet modernisation, the programme is structured to support technology transfer and strengthen Brazil’s domestic shipbuilding base.

Based on the MEKO modular design, the frigates displace around 3,500 tonnes and include a flight deck and hangar for helicopter operations. Brazilian sources state that the vessels measure approximately 107 metres in length, have a range of about 5,500 nautical miles and a top speed of roughly 25 knots. 

The lead ship, Tamandaré (F200), was launched in August 2024 and is scheduled to enter service in the first half of 2026.

Multiple roles at center

The class is intended to underpin protection of Brazil’s maritime area of interest, often referred to as the “Amazônia Azul”. Operational requirements include sovereignty patrols, surveillance, search and rescue, counter-piracy, action against illegal fishing and pollution, and participation in multinational missions.

Across these roles, the deployment of smaller craft is frequently decisive. Boarding operations, inspections and rescue missions depend on the ability to launch and recover boats safely, including in adverse sea states. 

The stern port and ramp therefore function as a critical interface between the platform and the operating environment.

In a LinkedIn statement, SH Defence said its solution provides a “robust and reliable interface between ship and sea”, enabling launch and recovery even in challenging conditions and integrating fully with the frigate’s wider mission systems. 

For SH Defence, part of SH Group, which reported turnover of DKK 695 million in 2024, the delivery secures participation in a strategically significant naval programme and reinforces industrial ties between European suppliers and Brazil’s defence sector.