The Navy was authorized to sink the aircraft carrier São Paulo.| Photo: Flickr/Navy

The Navy sank the aircraft carrier São Paulo on Friday afternoon (3). The sinking, according to a note from the force, was carried out in a controlled and planned manner, 350 kilometers off the Brazilian coast, in a region about 5,000 meters deep.

The decision received criticism from some environmentalists – among them the Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva –, who showed concern about the effects that the sinking of the aircraft carrier could have on the environment. In its hull, there is asbestos residue. “The procedure was carried out with the necessary technical competence and safety by the Brazilian Navy, in order to avoid logistical, operational, environmental and economic losses to the Brazilian State”, says a statement signed by the Navy, the Ministry of Defense and the Law Firm. -General of the Union (AGU).

In 2021, the Turkish company Denizcilik (SÖK) had purchased the vessel’s hull for recycling, but later decided to abandon the vessel. According to the Navy, the ship’s hull needed repairs that SÖK showed no interest in doing. The aircraft carrier entered the return route to Brazil after Turkey canceled the authorization it had issued for export in July 2022. “The Brazilian State had no alternative but to consider the asset as lost, and to assume administrative control of the hull, in order to avoid damage to the environment and preserve navigation safety”, informed the Navy.