India, Brazil Sign MoU on Scorpene Submarine Maintenance

India and Brazil have strengthened their growing maritime and defence partnership with the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the maintenance of Scorpene-class submarines. The agreement reflects a deepening alignment between the two navies and defence industries amid expanding strategic engagement across maritime domains.

Tripartite Agreement and Signatories

The MoU was signed between the Indian Navy, the Brazilian Navy and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. It focuses on the exchange of information related to the maintenance and life-cycle support of Scorpene-class submarines, along with other naval platforms. The agreement marks an important step in institutionalising technical cooperation between the two countries.

Context of Naval Chief’s Brazil Visit

The agreement was concluded during the official visit of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi to Brazil from December 9 to 12. The visit was aimed at strengthening the expanding India–Brazil maritime partnership and reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation. Admiral Tripathi held discussions with senior Brazilian military and political leadership during the visit.

Scope of Cooperation Under the MoU

According to the Indian Navy, the MoU will enhance collaboration in areas such as life-cycle support, logistics, training, experience sharing and defence research and development. It represents a major milestone in both Navy-to-Navy and industry-to-industry engagement, leveraging shared operational experience with Scorpene-class submarines operated by both countries.

What to Note for Exams?

• The MoU involves the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.
• It focuses on maintenance of Scorpene-class submarines.
• The agreement was signed during the CNS visit to Brazil in December 2025.
• It supports life-cycle support, logistics and defence R&D cooperation.

Broader Defence and Maritime Engagement

During the visit, Admiral Tripathi met Brazil’s Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces and Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, Commander of the Brazilian Navy. Discussions covered operational engagements, training exchanges, hydrographic cooperation, maritime domain awareness and capacity building. The CNS also interacted with senior political leadership to review defence industrial collaboration and coordination across the South Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, underscoring India and Brazil’s shared role as leading voices of the Global South.