Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo explained

NAe São Paulo (pennant number A12) was a in service with the Brazilian Navy. São Paulo was first commissioned in 1963 by the French Navy as and was transferred in 2000 to Brazil, where she became the new flagship of the Brazilian Navy. IHS Jane's reported that during her career with the Brazilian Navy, São Paulo suffered from serviceability issues and never managed to operate for more than three months at a time without the need for repairs and maintenance.[1]

On 14 February 2017, the navy announced the ship's demobilisation and subsequent decommissioning.[2] On 12 March 2021 the carrier was sold to be scrapped. After Turkey rejected permission to dock, the Brazilian Navy scuttled the ship in the Atlantic Ocean on 3 February 2023, some off the Brazilian coast in of water.[3] [4]

Background

The aircraft carrier São Paulo was built in France between 1957 and 1960, and served in the French Navy as Foch. In September 2000, she was purchased by Brazil for US$12 million[5] – no aircraft were included in the price – to replace the aged World War II-era carrier, which had been in commission for over 40 years. Brazil had previously approached other countries, such as Spain, who wanted to construct a US$500 million carrier for Brazil, about the acquisition of a carrier.[6] The government had already purchased a squadron of 23 used A-4 Skyhawk fighter planes from Kuwait for $70 million;[7] these planes, along with existing helicopters already in the national defense inventory, were to compose the São Paulo fighter-bomber group. These A-4s (designated AF-1) are capable of carrying armament including rockets, free-fall bombs, and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

The Clemenceau-class aircraft carriers, of which São Paulo was the last surviving member, are of conventional CATOBAR design. The flight deck is long by wide; the landing area is angled at 8 degrees off of the ship's axis. The forward aircraft elevator is to starboard, and the rear elevator is positioned on the deck edge to save hangar space. The forward of two 52m (171feet) catapults is on the bow to port; the second catapult is farther back on the angled landing deck. The hangar deck dimensions are by 22to with overhead.[8]

In September 2000, São Paulo was purchased while still operational,[7] an unusual process for such a large ship. She was received by the Brazilian Navy and was incorporated into the Brazilian Navy on 15 November 2000. The incorporation of São Paulo and the AF-1 fighter group marked the realization of Brazil's long-held goal of being able to conduct aerial defense of its naval forces with fixed-wing aircraft.

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso noted during the transfer ceremony that:

Since her construction, São Paulo received multiple upgrades, leaving her with a diverse range of technologies. The carrier arrived in Rio de Janeiro on 17 February 2001.[7] São Paulos complement was 1,920 (the ship's company was 64 officers and 1274 sailors, with an additional 582 in the air group).[9]

Brazilian service

In her first three years of service as São Paulo, the ship completed several missions, some in foreign waters, particularly Operations ARAEX,[10] PASSEX, and TEMPEREX,[11] which is used annually to qualify and train the Argentine Navy's Super Étendards and S-2T Turbo Trackers.[12]

Toward the end of her commissioned life, São Paulo mainly served to train pilots to fly carrier operations. She was actively used for the carrier qualification and re-qualification of rotary and fixed-wing pilots, and also to practice carrier-based attack missions.

2005 fire

On 17 May 2005, an explosion took place in a steam pipeline in the engine room.[13] The explosion initially killed one crew member and injured ten others. All casualties were airlifted by helicopter to the Marcilio Dias Naval Hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Two of the injured crew later died in the hospital from their injuries. The cause of the explosion was a rupture in a steam pipeline. After this accident, the Navy decided to undertake an extensive overhaul to repair and modernize the ship.[14]

Upgrade (2005–2010) and sea trials

During 2005–10, São Paulo underwent extensive modernization.[15] The upgrade included repair of the steam turbines; maintenance of the surface condensers; retubing of boilers; repair of two high-pressure compressors; revision of the AC electrical generator; purchase of spare parts; maintenance of pumps, valves, and structural items; addition of two API oil-water separators; installation of two water cooling units; upgrade of the chemical oxygen generator; repair and treatment of oil tanks; substitution of the Naval Tactical Data System, installation of a closed-circuit television system; installation of an IFF transponder; installation of a MAGE system (ESM), flight deck inspection, repair, and painting; upgrade of the Optical Landing System processing unit; and revision of the aircraft catapults.[16] The upgrade was completed in July 2009, and the São Paulo was initially due to be fully operational by August 2010.[17]

Twelve Brazilian Navy A-4 Skyhawks were also scheduled to be upgraded by Embraer at a cost of $140 million.[18] The upgrade was similar to the ones done for the AMX and F-5EM aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force. The program included restoring the aircraft and their current systems, as well as implementing new avionics, radar (specifically the Elta 2032 radar system), power production, and autonomous oxygen generating systems. Possible weapons to be included in the upgrade were MAA-1B, Python 4, and Derby AAMS.

The Brazilian Navy contracted Marsh Aviation to convert four S-2T Turbo Trackers to an airborne early warning (AEW) configuration, and four more for tanking and Carrier Onboard Delivery duties.[19]

According to an article in the October 2010 issue of Air Forces Monthly, it was confirmed that Brazil had purchased ex-Australian and ex-Uruguayan C-1 Trader airframes, for conversion into AEW planes and tanker aircraft. The Brazilian Navy planned upgrades of the airframes to S-2T Turbo Tracker configuration with Honeywell TPE 331-14GR engines. The purchase included nine airframes, of which two were for tanker conversion to refuel the AF-1 Skyhawks, and three were for AEW. The rest were purchased for spares or for cargo duties. The AEW radar requirement was to have a range of at . The operational lifespan for the airframes was to be 10 years. They were expected to be ready in 2011 and 2012.[20]

São Paulos SH-3 helicopter fleet was to be replaced by six S-70B Seahawk helicopters. They were purchased in 2008, upgraded, and refurbished for delivery. The helicopters and a package of engines and support equipment were scheduled for delivery in 2009.[21]

At the end of 2010, sea trials began, and as of 2011 São Paulo had been evaluated by the CIASA (Inspection Commission and Training Advisory).

Refit and delayed decommissioning (2012–2022)

São Paulo was expected to rejoin the fleet in late 2013, but suffered another major fire in 2012.[22] In 2017, the Navy announced the ship would be demobilized and decommissioned, citing the uneconomical cost of further repairs.[23] The Brazilian Navy formally decommissioned São Paulo on 22 November 2018.

Scheduled to arrive at Aliağa, Turkey on 7 September 2022 for scrapping, the ship was towed from Rio de Janeiro on 4 August 2022 by the Dutch tugboat Alp Centre, after being bought for R$10,550,000.00 or US$1,919,857.35 from Sök. The ship and her tugboat arrived off the Moroccan coast on 26 August, preparing to enter the Mediterranean Sea through Gibraltar, when the Turkish government suddenly withdrew permission for the ship to dock in Turkey.[24] This decision was made after officials at the Turkish Ministry of the Environment determined that the report submitted by Brazilian authorities significantly underestimated the amount of hazardous material aboard the ship when compared to ships of the same class and period. For example, the report estimated the presence of only 9.6 tons of asbestos when — São Paulos sister ship — contained at least 600 tons of this carcinogenic material.[25] [26] The convoy reversed course and headed back to Rio de Janeiro.[27]

After the decommissioning was announced, a private foundation called (ISP) formed by former crew and enthusiasts attempted to transform the carrier into a museum ship. Previous plans to make a museum ship of her predecessor, Minas Gerais, had been aborted. ISP was responsible for the judicial order to tow the ship back to Brazil. Concerns over the potential risk of "massive ecological damage" were made by several national and international environmentalist organizations.[28]

A lawyer instrumental in the ship's return characterized the overall handling of the matter as severely rushed and negligent, with authorities bypassing proper evaluation and selling the ship for a fraction of the real value. The foundation was also barred from the auction as Brazilian authorities were only interested in companies seeking to dismantle the ship.[29] The Brazilian Navy refused to allow the ship to anchor again in Rio de Janeiro, and sent the convoy to a port in Suape, Pernambuco, where she was again not allowed to anchor, and had thus been waiting in the waters for a pending cleanup by the Navy.

Scuttling (2023)

On 20 January 2023, the ship was seized and put out to sea by the Brazilian Navy,[30] who declared it would scuttle the São Paulo into the Atlantic Ocean in February 2023, following the rejections of injunctions from Ministry of the Environment and the Federal Public Ministry by a federal judge.

The Navy stated that the São Paulo's deteriorating condition and the "inevitability of uncontrolled sinking" gave the navy no other option, even with an offer of R$30 million (US$6 million) from Sela Saudi Arabian Jeddah group to buy her for three times more than the Turkish company paid.[31] Plans to scuttle her approximately off the coast of Brazil in international waters, 5,000 m deep, just within the outer limit of Brazil's exclusive economic zone were announced.[32] The Public Ministry appealed against the judicial decision,[33] but the appeal was rejected.[34] The Navy spent R$ 37.2 million to sink the decommissioned aircraft carrier São Paulo, which had been sold for R$ 10 million.[35]

The former Turkish owners of the ship criticized the decision as showing indifference and attempts to evade responsibility by the Brazilian authorities.[36] The Brazilian Navy said that her hull already had three holes in it and sinking would have been inevitable before the end of the month. São Paulo was scuttled on 3 February 2023.[37] [38]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.janes.com/article/46794/brazil-seeking-to-modernise-sao-paulo-aircraft-carrier-extend-life-to-2039 Brazil seeking to modernise Sao Paulo aircraft carrier, extend life to 2039
  2. Web site: Desmobilização do NAe 'São Paulo' (A 12). 14 February 2017 . Defesa Aérea & Naval. 15 February 2017. 16 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190116003145/http://www.defesaaereanaval.com.br/desmobilizacao-do-nae-sao-paulo-a-12/. live. .
  3. Web site: Brazil sinks warship in Atlantic amid environmental concerns . MSN.com . 3 February 2023 . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204043349/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/brazil-sinks-warship-in-atlantic-amid-environmental-concerns/ar-AA175TzJ?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=f7877cfe61cd480b8cb558fa2b634d8e . live .
  4. Web site: Marinha afunda o porta-aviões desativado São Paulo, após meses de impasse . 3 February 2023 . G1 . 3 February 2023 . pt-br . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203232019/https://g1.globo.com/pe/pernambuco/noticia/2023/02/03/marinha-afunda-o-porta-avioes-desativado-sao-paulo-apos-meses-de-impasse.ghtml . live .
  5. Web site: Museu ou sucata? O que será do porta-aviões brasileiro que custou R$ 22 milhões . Defesa Aérea & Naval . pt . Padilha . Luiz . 19 October 2019 . 2 February 2023 . 2 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202010016/https://www.defesaaereanaval.com.br/naval/museu-ou-sucata-o-que-sera-do-porta-avioes-brasileiro-que-custou-r-22-milhoes . live .
  6. Web site: Brazilian Navy seeks aircraft carrier. South American Business Information. 5 July 2000. 15 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161630/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-63115294.html. 24 September 2015. dead.
  7. Web site: Schleiffert. Rob. Rodenburg. Corne. Sao Paulo rules the waves. Naval Aviation News. 1 September 2003. 24 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924204443/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-434863281.html. 24 September 2015. dead.
  8. Web site: John. Pike. Clemenceau Aircraft Carrier. Global security. 19 September 2013. 15 January 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090115145347/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/clemenceau.htm. live.
  9. http://www.naval.com.br/NGB/S/S032/S032.htm Navio Aeródromo São Paulo – A 12
  10. Web site: Brazil. Global Security. 23 June 2009. 27 August 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090827022414/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/brazil/sao-paulo.htm. live. .
  11. .
  12. Web site: ARAEX VI - 2001 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/fc9yNM4_Kgk. 21 December 2021. live. apeten . Jun 29, 2008 . YouTube . video recording. .
  13. "Explosion kills one in Brazilian aircraft carrier". Web site: Xinhua – English. 8 September 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160907150802/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-05/18/content_2968613.htm. 7 September 2016. Xinhua.net. 18 May 2005
  14. Operti, Carlos Filipe, Pg. 36, Combat Aircraft Monthly, US Edition, Vol. 12, No. 12, December 2011
  15. Web site: NAe São Paulo's second docking. A segunda docagem do NAe São Paulo. Alide. BR. pt . Felipe Salles . 15 March 2008 . Base Militar Web Magazine . 24 June 2009. 12 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112190351/http://www.alide.com.br/joomla/index.php/component/content/article/34-ed33/44-sp-docagem2. dead.
  16. Web site: A12 São Paulo: modernisation . A12 São Paulo: Modernização. Defesa. BR. 23 June 2009. pt. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090228173524/http://defesabr.com/Mb/mb_naes_Brasil_a12.htm. 28 February 2009.
  17. Web site: Porta-aviões São Paulo volta à ativa após 4 anos em reforma. Aircraft carrier São Paulo back to active service after four-year in refitting . O Estado de S. Paulo. Marinha do Brasil. 25 November 2009. pt. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110927125805/https://www.mar.mil.br/menu_h/noticias/ccsm/MI_pdf/NAeSPaulo.pdf. 27 September 2011.
  18. Web site: Embraer to Modernize Brazilian Navy AF-1 and AF-1A Jets. Reuters. 14 April 2009. 14 April 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110711063546/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/04/14/idUS206474+14-Apr-2009+PRN20090414. 11 July 2011 .
  19. Web site: Compra dos dois S‐2 para a aviação naval prestes a ser concluída. https://archive.today/20120730200532/http://www.alide.com.br/joomla/index.php/component/content/article/75-extra/1433-compra-dos-s-2-para-a-aviacao-naval-prestes-a-ser-concluida. dead. 30 July 2012. Alide. BR. Two S‐2 acquisition for the naval aviation about to be concluded. 20 July 2010. pt.
  20. Web site: Brazilian navy buys Traders. Flight Global. 23 August 2010. 16 September 2010. 26 August 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100826064752/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/08/23/346412/brazilian-navy-buys-traders.html. live.
  21. Web site: FMS: Brazil Requests S-70 Helicopters and Engines. Deagel. 7 September 2006. 1 December 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081201173950/http://www.deagel.com/news/FMS-Brazil-Requests-S-70-Helicopters-and-Engines_n000001004.aspx. live.
  22. Web site: Militar ferido em incêndio no porta-aviões São Paulo permanece em observação. pt. Military hurt in fire at the aircraft carrier São Paulo continues under observation. Agência Brasil. EBC. 11 January 2014. 12 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140112031353/http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/noticia/2012-02-23/militar-ferido-em-incendio-no-porta-avioes-sao-paulo-permanece-em-observacao. live. .
  23. News: Brazilian Navy retires Sao Paulo carrier. Mönch Publishing Group News. 15 February 2017. 16 February 2017. 4 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170804202516/http://www.monch.com/mpg/news/15-maritime/799-brazilian-navy-retires-sao-paolo-carrier.html. live.
  24. News: Turkey Refuses Entry to Decommissioned Carrier Over Asbestos Concerns. 2 September 2022. 2 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220902081723/https://maritime-executive.com/article/turkey-refuses-entry-to-decommissioned-carrier-over-asbestos-concerns. live.
  25. Web site: Brazil's toxic aircraft carrier sails back to Rio de Janeiro . 8 September 2022 . 6 October 2022 . 6 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221006013831/https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/32116-brazil-s-toxic-aircraft-carrier-sails-back-to-rio-de-janeiro . live .
  26. Web site: Toxic aircraft carrier São Paulo rejected by Turkey returning to Brazil . 28 September 2022 . 6 October 2022 . 6 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221006013836/https://shipbreakingplatform.org/toxic-aircraft-carrier-returns-to-brazil/ . live .
  27. Web site: The old aircraft carrier São Paulo returns to Brazil . 9 September 2022 . 6 October 2022 . 6 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221006013833/https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/defense-updates/the-old-aircraft-carrier-sao-paulo-returns-to-brazil/ . live .
  28. Web site: thamarakaoru . Ação popular tenta barrar sucateamento de antigo porta-aviões da Marinha . 26 December 2022 . CNN Brasil . pt-BR . 26 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221226200345/https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/business/acao-popular-tenta-barrar-sucateamento-de-antigo-porta-avioes-da-marinha/ . live .
  29. Web site: Histórias do Mar – A saga do porta-aviões que vaga há meses no mar e nenhum porto quer aceitar . 26 December 2022 . www.uol.com.br . pt-br . 26 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221226201847/https://www.uol.com.br/nossa/colunas/historias-do-mar/2022/10/08/a-saga-do-porta-avioes-que-vaga-ha-meses-no-mar-e-nenhum-porto-quer-aceitar.htm . live .
  30. Web site: Brazilian Navy Suddenly Seizes Its Old Warship, Forcing It to Sea . 23 January 2023 . 25 January 2023 . 25 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230125041758/https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/brazilian-navy-suddenly-seizes-its-old-warship-forcing-it-to-sea/ . live .
  31. News: Feitoza . Cézar . Della Coletta . Ricardo . Seabra . Catia . Saudi Group Offers $6 million for Aircraft Carrier Hull, and Navy Postpones Sinking . Folha de S.Paulo . 1 February 2023 . 2 February 2023 . 2 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202000911/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2023/02/saudi-group-offers-6-million-for-aircraft-carrier-hull-and-navy-postpones-sinking.shtml . live .
  32. News: 1 February 2023 . Brazilian Navy says it will sink 'ghost' aircraft carrier at high sea . en . Reuters . 1 February 2023 . 1 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201184454/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/oddly-enough/brazilian-ghost-aircraft-carrier-gets-reprieve-2023-02-01/ . live .
  33. Web site: MPF recorre contra decisão da Justiça Federal que permitiu à Marinha afundar porta-aviões desativado. MPF appeals against decision of the Federal Court that allowed the Navy to sink a disabled aircraft carrier. G1. 2 February 2023. 3 February 2023. pt-BR. 3 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203001608/https://g1.globo.com/pe/pernambuco/noticia/2023/02/02/mpf-recorre-contra-decisao-da-justica-federal-que-permitiu-a-marinha-afundar-porta-avioes-desativado.ghtml. live.
  34. Web site: Afundado porta-aviões São Paulo, após meses à deriva. Aircraft carrier São Paulo sunk after months adrift. Deutsche Welle. 4 February 2023. 4 February 2023. pt-BR. 4 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140424/https://www.dw.com/pt-br/afundado-porta-avi%C3%B5es-s%C3%A3o-paulo-ap%C3%B3s-meses-%C3%A0-deriva/a-64611641. live.
  35. Web site: Marinha gastou R$ 37,2 milhões para afundar porta-aviões desativado São Paulo, que havia sido vendido por R$ 10 milhões . pt-br . Vergas . Paulo . Globo.com . 5 October 2023 . 7 October 2023.
  36. Web site: Antiga dona de navio desativado diz que autoridades brasileiras foram 'inertes' e 'jogaram dinheiro público por água abaixo' . 3 February 2023 . G1 . 2 February 2023 . pt-br . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203001634/https://g1.globo.com/pe/pernambuco/noticia/2023/02/02/antiga-dona-de-navio-desativado-diz-que-autoridades-brasileiras-foram-inertes-e-jogaram-dinheiro-publico-por-agua-abaixo.ghtml . live .
  37. Web site: Marinha afunda o porta-aviões desativado São Paulo, após meses de impasse . 3 February 2023 . G1 . 3 February 2023 . pt-br . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203232019/https://g1.globo.com/pe/pernambuco/noticia/2023/02/03/marinha-afunda-o-porta-avioes-desativado-sao-paulo-apos-meses-de-impasse.ghtml . live .
  38. News: Brazil sinks aircraft carrier in Atlantic despite presence of asbestos and toxic materials . The Guardian . 4 February 2023 . 4 February 2023 . en . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204072419/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/04/brazil-sinks-aircraft-carrier-in-atlantic-despite-presence-of-asbestos-and-toxic-materials . live.

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