MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil offering frigates and subs to Middle East

Brazilean sub class Tupi

Encouraged by Brazil's resurgent economy, ship builders are making a strong bid to enter the naval market in the region with an array of weaponry including submarines. A leader in naval technology, Rio-based, Emgepron (Empressa Gerencial De Projetos Navais) is displaying its products at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition Conference (Dimdex 2008).

Antonio Loure, a company official said: "As part of our latest business strategy, we realize the importance of winning the Middle East maritime market with a range of high quality naval equipment". He said developments in the Middle East and heavy maritime traffic mean regional navies have a tough task at hand and they need to prepare well to keep their territorial waters stable. Maritime traffic in the region is perhaps amongst the highest in the world and calls for introduction of modern naval equipment, he said. Brazil, said Loure, has inherited a naval tradition from the former colonial power, Portugal, and now has one of the best navies in South America. The warships that Emgepron builds are amongst the best in the world and equipped with the most advanced naval solutions, said Loure. "We are already delivering effective and highly qualified naval products to a number of countries," said the Emgepron official. No one can afford to compromise on issues like defense and security. Together these factors contribute to stability, which in turn provide prosperity said Loure. The Middle East has enormous oil and gas resources and Brazilian companies like ours are ready to share our expertise and experience with navies here. "Our experience in building modern submarines and frigates assures know-how and high quality levels," he said. Emgepron makes submarines, frigates, corvettes, patrol boats and other support vessels, explained Loure. "The Tupi class submarine that we manufacture dives to 300m and can achieve a speed of up to 21 knots," he said. The company has also developed a missile decoy system. He said the firm's repair and maintenance facilities spread across South America could provide effective solutions to regional naval requirements.