Will Brazil have the first drone ship? When the Brazilian Navy began its search for partners for the development of its Tamandaré-class frigates, the Damen project was one of the finalists
Discover the new multipurpose support ship developed by the Damen Shipyards group, which has also been classified as the first drone ship. We will see how this innovative concept could represent the next step in naval combat and whether these ships could be acquired and operated by the Brazilian Navy.
Recently, the Damen Shipyards group revealed its newest project, the Multipurpose Support Ship, also called MPSS, developed together with the Portuguese Navy, which aims to be the first to acquire this new type of ship. Its main task is the operation of drones of different types, whether aerial, water or underwater.
High versatility
The MPSS aims to be an option for navies large and small, offering high versatility in a compact package. In addition to its main task, the multipurpose support ship can also be used to fulfill several other secondary functions, from humanitarian and search and rescue operations to amphibious support operations and submarine rescue.
Dimensions and capacity
Another major differentiator of this ambitious project is its cost-benefit ratio. The MPSS is a relatively small ship, with 7000 and 9.000 ton versions, comparable to the displacement of some modern frigates and destroyers. Its dimensions are also not that large, with the 9.000 ton version reaching 130 m in length and the 7.000 ton version being just 107 m in length, similar to the future Brazilian Tamandaré class frigates. Its size is very well used. Despite having a low maximum speed of just 15 knots, its range can reach more than 10.000 nautical miles and its autonomy of 45 days at sea. The MPSS also does not require a large crew, and is expected to be operated by a crew of 48 and with additional facilities for a further 100 passengers and temporary accommodation for a further 42.
Revolutionizing the shipping industry
With its ability to operate drones in combat and surveillance missions, versatility to perform other tasks, compact size, low operating cost and ease of construction and maintenance, the multipurpose support ship promises to revolutionize the naval industry as an essential unit for navies. modern. The Portuguese Navy, which was involved in the MPSS development process, has already ordered its first unit and it is likely that many other nations will follow suit. The multipurpose support ship is a great innovation that incorporates new learnings to offer an adequate solution to today's problems, just as happened in the past with battleships and later with aircraft carriers.
Impact of the ship on the Brazilian Navy
The proven effectiveness of drones in modern conflicts is something that has been studied by many nations, including Brazil, which has already invested in this area. For the Brazilian Navy, the possibility of operating a unit like Damen's multipurpose support ship could have a significant impact on its operational capacity. As powerful and symbolic as a conventional aircraft carrier may be, the reality is that these ships require a large investment to be acquired and operated, draining resources from a Navy like Brazil's, which currently does not have them. The advantage of being able to use aircraft as part of a navy's offensive arsenal continues to be an extremely important factor when evaluating its ability to combat different threats.
A valuable option
The Damen Shipyards project aims to offer a good middle ground, focused on operating drones rather than manned aircraft. This is an alternative that, in some cases, may be less effective, but still offers an advantage against surface ships. Its low operating and maintenance costs make it a valuable option for a Navy with few resources to invest. Furthermore, its versatility would make it a good addition to other operations frequently carried out by the Brazilian Navy, such as humanitarian aid. It is worth noting that Damen Shipyards has always been willing to offer the necessary resources so that its customers can build their ships in their own shipyards, helping nations such as Mexico and Colombia in the development of their own naval industry.
The potential of the MPSS ship for the Brazilian navy
When the Brazilian Navy began its search for partners for the development of its Tamandaré-class frigates, Damen's project was one of the finalists, despite not being MB's final choice. Taking these factors into consideration, it would be possible for the Brazilian Navy to acquire a new multi-purpose support ship from Damen and possibly even build its units nationally. The MPSS would undoubtedly have a great impact on the Brazilian Navy, allowing it to be in the Vanguard among the navies that operate this type of ship in the region, which would consequently help maintain its position as the most powerful in the region.
The costs for Brazil to acquire and operate the multipurpose support ship would be much lower than larger units such as aircraft carriers, while at the same time allowing the country to have a unit capable of carrying out various types of additional operations. Although the MPSS is a new concept that will still need to be tested, its potential is evident and should be observed carefully by navies that do not wish to be left behind in the midst of new technologies in the naval sphere.
