Upon modernization, the vessel will be able to fly unmanned aerial vehicles as well as crewed VTOL tiltrotor aircraft with fixed-wing medium-altitude long-endurance.

Following modernisation, the Brazilian Navy agreed to reclassify the Atlantico helicopter carrier as an aircraft carrier.

The Atlantico was procured from the United Kingdom, where it has served since 1995, for a sum of £ 84 million in 2018. The vessel was used as a base for helicopters on amphibious assault operations, with a length of 203 metres and a displacement of 21,600 tons.

Despite the new name, the ship has no features such as catapult or ski-jump takeoff systems to be considered an aircraft carrier.

However, among the priorities of the strategic plan for the year 2040, the Brazilian Navy has to focus on a new aircraft carrier in addition to modern fighters. Currently, after Sao Paulo's retirement, small detachments of A-4 (A-1F) jets are based on land.

Maritime Business World