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Chief of the SA Navy’s Goodwill Visit to the
Brazilian Navy
Article and photos by Capt H.T. Morake
Enquiries: 021 787 4697 |
The South African Navy
(SAN) enjoys good relations and co-operation with the
Brazilian Navy (BN). Brazil’s geo-strategic position is
critical for the two navies to cement the strong
relations that already exist. The BN already co-operates
with the SAN on issues of Maritime Defence and Security,
including multi-national exercises. The Chief of the SA
Navy (C Navy), V Adm J. Mudimu accompanied by Mrs Mudimu,
R Adm (JG) K. Wiesner and Capt HT Morake undertook a
goodwill visit to Brazil over period 27 July to 5 August
2012.
Chief of the SAN and Chief of the BN at Corcovado
Mountain (Christ the Redeemer Statue)
On arrival in Brazil the
delegation visited famous tourist attraction places in
Rio de Janeiro Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) in
Rio de Janeiro, tour of the Corcovado Mountain (Christ
the Redeemer Statue) and a boat ride in the Baia da
Guanabara and Copacabana seaside (Guanabara Bay and
Copacabana seaside). The social programme was further
escalated to include the capital Brasilia. Prior to
commencing with issues of maritime interests, thought
provoking areas of interest such as the Cathedral of
Brasilia, Square of the Three Powers (Presidency,
Congress and Justice) and the Juscelino Kubitschek
(known as JK) Museum was visited by the delegation in
Brasilia.
The official programme
commenced with a visit to the Brazilian Navy (BN)
Headquarters in Brasilia and the C Navy was welcomed
with a Guard of Honour upon arrival. C Navy and
delegations were briefed on the mission of the BN,
subsidiary attributions, organisation of the Navy and
its distribution along the national territory, the Navy
Re-equipment Program (PRM), projects in progress and the
vision for the future. The BN Headquarters set the pace
at a strategic level. This was followed by a series of
detailed presentations, site visits and demonstrations.
The delegation were subjected to the following
presentations and demonstrations:
Training Facilities:
Various training facilities that were visited such as
the Naval Academy, the Admiral Wandenkolk Training
Centre (CIAW) and the Admiral Alexandrino Training
Centre (CIAA). The Naval Academy train officers for
early careers as Line Officers, Marines and the
Logistics corps in the Brazilian Navy. The CIAW provides
specialisation courses to graduate officers in order to
qualify them to perform dutied for the BN. The CIAA
provide training of several Corps to ratings of the BN.
These facilities training learners from the BN and other
international navies. In order to capacitate the SAN
there is a need to explore areas of co-operation
training and student exchange.
Marine Force: The
Marine Force is fully integrated into the BN. Their
primary objectives is to project power over land and to
defend ships and premises on land that concern the
Maritime Power. The Forces are trained to conduct
special operations such as Airborne Infiltration, Sea
Infiltration, Snipers, Mountain Operations, Recovery and
Hostage Rescue and Trap Laying. To showcase the
precision of the Marine Force a demonstration of
Airborne and Sea Infiltration was conducted by the
Amphibious Taskforce ( involving ship to shore movement
with landing ships and helicopters). The activities were
concluded in a true malitary fashion with the Marines
Parade and March Pass.
Submarine Force: The
delegation visited the submarine HQ where they received
a briefing on the submarine force operational structure,
units, tasks, followed by a tour of the facility and a
submarine escape demonstration. Diving courses in the
Brazilian Navy are facilitated by the Submarine
Formation.
Marine Armament Rio de
Janeiro: The mission of the Marine Armament Rio de
Janeiro (AMRJ) is to build surface ships, maintain,
repair and provide shore facilities to BN units and
provide support infrastructure to military organisations
with excellent technology, in order to ensure national
security, as well as respecting personnel, society and
environment.
Company of Marine
Projects: The Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais (EMGEPRON)
commonly known as “Company of Marine Projects” is a
state owned company, ruled under private law. EMGEPRON
is a project management company focusing on naval
construction, modernisation and maintenance, including
R&D as well as commercialisation of naval defence
products.
Chief of the Brazilian Navy bids farewell to the Chief
of the SAN in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Naval Control of Shipping
Command: The Naval Control of Shipping Command (COMCONTRAM)
was established to ensure Naval Control of Shipping by
monitoring maritime traffic of national interest. The BN
has a Shipping Information System (SISTRAM) that uses
electronic data processing for tracking Merchant Ships
and Fishing Boats, within the search and rescue area
under the responsibility of Brazil, as well as the
Merchant Ships with Brazilian flag or chartered by
Brazilian ship-owners, anywhere in the world. In order
to capacitate South Africa there is a need for the SAN
to explore areas of co-operation with regards to the
Trans Regional Maritime Network.
The visit was fruitful and
laid a foundation for areas of co-operation between the
BN and the SAN.
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