Sao Paulo

The Fock was orignally commissioned in 1963 and served a long and successful career with the French before being sold to Brazil after the successful commissioning and operation of their new nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.

The Brazilians then refitted and modernized her between 2005 and 2010. This refit included the repair of the steam turbines; maintenance of the surface condensers; retubing the boilers; repair of the high-pressure compressors; maintenance work on all pumps, valves and several structural items; upgrading and modernizing the Optical Landing System processing unit; the purchase and installation of two API oil-water separators; updating the alternating current electrical generator; installation of two water cooling units; an upgrade of the chemical oxygen generator; the repair athe oil tanks; modernizing and updating the Naval Tactical Data System; installation of a new closed-circuit television system; installation of IFF transponders; installation of new MAGE ESM equipments; a complete flight deck inspection, repair and painting; and finally a full updating and modernization of the carriers rcatapults.

Before the purchase of the Sao Paulo, the Brazilians had operated a fomrer British Colossus class carrier, the Minas Gerais, for many years. This gave them proior experience in catapault take-offs and arrested landing. After purchasing the Sao Paulo, the Minas Gerias was retired and decommissioned.

To go with and act as an airwing for the Sao Paulo, the Brazilians purchased 20 A4-KU aircraft from Kuwait to serve on the new carrier and upgraded them to serve in either fleet defense (with Sidewinder, Python 4, and Derby BVR missiles), as well as ground attack. They also purchased three TA-4KUs for refueling duties. In addition, they also purchased several older C-1 Trader airframes and had them upgraded to the S-2T Turboprop configuration, outfitting 3 for AEW use and two as tankers. They kept four complete airframes to act as spares for these aircraft. Finally, they purchased six S70-B Seahawk helicopters to serve off of the carrier in the SAR and ASW roles.

This has created the following airwing for the Sao Paulo:

20 x A-4KU fighter/bombers 03 x TA-4kU tankers 03 x S-2T AEW 02 x S-2T Tankers 06 x S70-B Seahawk ASW/SAR

For a total of 34 aircraft.

The acquisition of the Sao Paulo, its modernization and new airwing, have all incresed the capability and the effectiveness of Brazilian naval air operations tremndously.