The Brazilian Navy’s Center for Naval System Design (CPSN) has delivered project documentation for the NPa500MB class patrol vessel to the state-owned Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais (EMGERPON), which is tasked with implementing naval projects. The Brazilian Navy plans to construct eight of these vessels, emphasizing significant local component utilization. Designed for patrolling and protecting the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), conducting search and rescue operations, and combating illegal activities such as unlawful fishing, the NPa500MB class program was designated a national priority in August 2023. Each vessel will be armed with a Bofors 40mm gun and two Oerlikon GAM-B01 20mm gun systems, incorporating advanced combat management systems that integrate navigation and search radars alongside electro-optical sensors and X-band satellite communication. With a full displacement of 564 tons, a length of 58.9 meters, and a beam of 9 meters, these vessels will achieve speeds of up to 21.7 knots, with a range of 3,000 nautical miles at an economical cruising speed of 13 knots, and an endurance of 20 days. Additionally, the approved NPa500MB program includes the construction of three specialized mine warfare vessels, expected to be delivered in the latter half of the 2030s. This initiative aims to enhance the Brazilian Navy’s operational capabilities and bolster participation in international security efforts, significantly elevating Brazil’s maritime defense posture.
