Brazil is to begin the integration phase of the Scorpene class submarines, announced the country's Ministry of Defence.

The first Brazilian Navy Scorpene submarine sections were transferred to the assembly facility in Itaguaí – where the PROSUB (Submarine Development Program) naval complex is located. A ceremony was held on 20 February, marking the beginning of the integration phase of the four submarines of the Scorpene class. The three sections of the Scorpene submarine, the Riachuelo, have been presented to the Brazilian authorities. 

Naval Group said the transfer now allows the final assembly of the Scorpene submarine and the three sections will be welded before summer 2018. The sections of the first Scorpene were built and pre-equipped in Itaguai by the Brazilian shipyard Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN), which is a subsidiary of Naval Group and Odebrecht. 

The commissioning of Riachuelo is scheduled for 2020.