Brazilian frigate Niterói (F40)

The Niterói (F40) was the lead ship of the Niterói-class frigates of the Brazilian Navy. She was designed and built in the United Kingdom by Vosper Thornycroft, and commissioned into the Brazilian Navy on November 21, 1976. The Niterói and her sister ships represented a significant modernization of the Brazilian fleet.

Niterói was named after the city of Niterói, located across Guanabara Bay from Rio de Janeiro.

The frigate was armed with a mix of anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air weaponry, including Exocet anti-ship missiles, Seacat anti-aircraft missiles, a 4.5-inch (114mm) Vickers Mk 8 naval gun, and anti-submarine torpedoes. She also carried a Westland Lynx helicopter for anti-submarine warfare and surface surveillance.

Throughout her service life, Niterói participated in numerous naval exercises, patrols, and international deployments, contributing to Brazil's maritime security and defense capabilities. She played a key role in various operations, including search and rescue missions and monitoring Brazil's Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Niterói was decommissioned from active service in the Brazilian Navy in 2019.