Brazil may acquire French Siroco LPD

[Zarvan]

Brazil is considering buying the French Navy's LPD Siroco, pictured here in Toulon, after Portugal dropped interest in July. Source: Victor Barreira
French authorities informed the Brazilian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 31 July that France has agreed to sell Brazil the French Navy's Siroco (L 9012) Foudre-class landing platform dock (LPD), a source told IHS Jane's .

The offer was made via the French Embassy in Brasilia and a Brazilian delegation is soon expected in Paris to discuss the potential acquisition, the source added, indicating Brazil maintains interest in procuring the ship. Portugal's recent decision not to acquire the amphibious assault vessel from France could have paved the way forSiroco 's potential transfer to Brazil.

A French Navy spokesperson told IHS Jane's on 4 August that negotiations with Brazil for the ship are progressing. The spokesperson added that no deal has been finalised or signed, but confirmed that Brazil is a serious prospect. The ship is currently undergoing maintenance in Toulon, he said.

A Brazilian Navy evaluation commission from the General Directorate of Naval Material recommended buying the Foudre-class LPD in late January, after a survey was conducted on the ship at its homeport in Toulon in mid-December 2014.

The ship displaces more than 12,000 tonnes and measures 168 m in length. It was commissioned in December 1998 and retired from French operation in early July.Siroco allows transport of landing boats, vehicles, troops, and equipment, as well as operation of up to four helicopters.

First-of-class Foudre (L 9011) was transferred to the Chilean Navy in 2011 where it operates as Sargento Aldea (LSDH 91).

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Brazil may acquire French Siroco LPD - IHS Jane's 360

 

[Penguin]

The Brazilian navy for a long time used NDD Ceará, the former USS Hermitage (LSD-34), a Thomaston-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy.

Laid down: 11 April 1955
Launched: 12 June 1956
Commissioned: 14 December 1956
Decommissioned: 2 October 1989
Fate: Transferred to Brazil, 2 October 1989
Struck: 24 January 2001
(46 years of service)

This was replaced by NDCC Mattoso Maia, the former USS Cayuga (LST-1186) , a Newport-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy
Laid down: 28 September 1968
Launched: 12 July 1969
Acquired: 1 June 1970
Commissioned: 8 August 1970
Decommissioned: 26 August 1994
Struck: 23 July 2002
Fate: Transferred to Brazil 24 January 2001
Status: in active service
(by now reaching 45 years of service)

Obviously Sirocco is more along the lines of the earlier LSD and well suited to replace Mattasso Maia.