What ThyssenKrupp Access does

Águas Azuis Construção Naval SPE LTDA is a Brazilian Special Purpose Entity (SPE) joint venture between ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Embraer Defesa e Segurança, and Atech, established in 2017 to execute the Tamandaré Class frigate program (PFCT) for the Brazilian Navy. The company's core product is the construction of four Tamandaré Class frigates built on TKMS's MEKO® combat-proven naval platform, built at the TKMS Estaleiro Brasil Sul complex in Itajaí, Santa Catarina. Differentiated technical content includes the MEKO® hull and combat system architecture, the integrated platform management system (IPMS), a Combat Management System (CMS), and the proprietary Naval 4.0 paperless construction methodology that combines digital twins, virtual reality, and augmented reality for assembly guidance.

The business model is a sole-source, cost-plus-derivative government defense procurement contract with a Brazilian Navy customer, structured around mandated technology transfer to develop a domestic naval industrial base. Revenue is recognized over the multi-year build cycle, with further upside from through-life support, modernization, and potential export of the Tamandaré platform to other South American navies. The venture is positioned as a domestic-content hub for MEKO®-class frigates across the Global South, leveraging the combined German naval engineering, Brazilian aerospace systems integration, and mission-system expertise of the three parent companies.

The customer base is exhaustively concentrated: a single buyer (the Brazilian Navy) under a single program of record, with no disclosed commercial or export backlog.

Name

ThyssenKrupp Access

Legal name

Águas Azuis Construção Naval SPE LTDA

Website

https://tkaccess.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Águas Azuis is a Brazilian defense shipbuilding joint venture (TKMS, Embraer, Atech) constructing four MEKO®-based Tamandaré Class frigates for the Brazilian Navy at the Itajaí shipyard under a single multi-year defense procurement contract.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Naval Shipbuilding

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (33661), Ship and Boat Building (3366)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Naval Shipbuilding Program Management & Defense Contracting Support (IMAJABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Launch & Retrieval Infrastructure (Slipways, Cradles, Travel Lifts, Launching Systems) (IMAJALAE), Naval Survivability & Signature Management (Armor, NBC, Stealth, Damage Control) (IMAJABAM), Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Support Systems (IMABAKAO)

Keywords

• Naval shipbuilding
• Defense frigates
• Military vessel construction
• Defense procurement
• MEKO platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Sumner

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Defense Shipbuilding Contract: Public defense procurement contract with the Brazilian Navy for the construction of four Fragatas Classe Tamandaré frigates. The contract includes technology transfer and local content requirements. Revenue is generated through the execution of this government defense program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Core offering

ThyssenKrupp Access is associated with Águas Azuis Construção Naval SPE LTDA, a Special Purpose Entity joint venture between TKMS, Embraer Defesa e Segurança, and Atech, executing the Programa Fragatas Classe Tamandaré (PFCT) for the Brazilian Navy. The company is constructing four Tamandaré Class defense frigates (107.2m length, 3,500 tons displacement, capacity for ~130 crew plus one helicopter and one drone) at the TKMS Estaleiro Brasil Sul shipyard in Itajaí, Brazil, using the MEKO® naval construction platform, Naval 4.0 paperless digital construction methodology, and augmented reality assembly technology. Note: The firmographics describe ThyssenKrupp Access as a building materials company manufacturing home elevators, wheelchair lifts, and stair lifts in Sumner, United States (founded 1811), which conflicts with the detailed naval shipbuilding content.

Product overview

Águas Azuis is a joint venture (SPE) between TKMS, Embraer, and Atech responsible for executing the Programa Fragatas Classe Tamandaré (PFCT) for the Brazilian Navy. The company manages the construction of four Tamandaré Class Frigates using a fully digital 'Paperless' construction methodology with augmented reality support. Core offerings include the frigates themselves, the Combat Management System (CMS), and the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), all developed through technology transfer from international partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fragatas Classe Tamandaré Tamandaré Class Frigates — four defense ships of 107.2 meters length, 15.95 meters maximum beam, 3,500 tons displacement, equipped with helipad, hangar for helicopter, radars, sensors and state-of-the-art weaponry, with capacity for approximately 130 crew members plus a helicopter and drone. Capable of surface, air, and submarine warfare operations for protection of Brazilian jurisdictional waters (Amazônia Azul).

Quantifiable outcome

• Technology transfer to Brazilian naval industry for construction of military ships and combat management systems

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Provides naval construction technology through its MEKO® platform (used in 80+ vessels in 15 countries). Operates the TKMS Estaleiro Brasil Sul shipyard in Itajaí, SC where construction occurs. Joint venture partner in the Águas Azuis SPE.
• Embraer Defesa e SegurançacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Responsible for integrating sensors and armaments into the combat system, leveraging 50+ years of experience in technology systems solutions and service support. Joint venture partner in the Águas Azuis SPE.
• Atech (subsidiary of Embraer)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Specialist in systems engineering and integration. Responsible for developing the Combat Management System (CMS), Data Tactical Link, and integration/testing activities for both the combat system and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
• Marinha do Brasil (Brazilian Navy)coreOthersCustomer and program sponsor. Conducts the Programa Fragatas Classe Tamandaré (PFCT) since 2017, contracting Águas Azuis for the construction of four defense frigates.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ThyssenKrupp Access