EEZ claim drives Brazilian ship procurement programmes

The Brazilian Navy has unveiled plans to establish a second fleet - operating from a new base on or near the Amazon River - and procure a new class of 1,800-ton offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Meanwhile, proposals for the acquisition of additional 54 m Navio Patrulha (NAPA 500) patrol ships have also emerged as the navy accelerates efforts to modernise its surface fleet

[first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 05 June 2009]