Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo ( A12 ) NAe " São Paulo " ( A12 ) is a " Clemenceau " - class aircraft carrier currently in service with the Brazilian Navy . The " São Paulo " was first commissioned in 1963 by the French Navy as the " Foch " and was transferred in 2000 to Brazil , where she became the new flagship of the Brazilian Navy . Background . The aircraft carrier " São Paulo " was constructed in France between 1957 and 1960 , and served in the French Navy as the " Foch " . In September 2000 , she was purchased by Brazil for US $ 12 million — no aircraft were included in the price — to replace the aged World War II - era carrier " Minas Gerais " , which had been in commission for over 40 years . The government of Brazil had already purchased a flotilla of used A - 4 Skyhawk fighter planes from Kuwait for $ 70 million ; these planes , along with existing helicopters already in the national defense inventory , were to compose the " São Paulo " fighter - bomber group . These A - 4s ( designated AF - 1 ) are capable of carrying armament including rockets , free - fall bombs , and Sidewinder air - to - air missiles . The " Clemenceau " class aircraft carriers , of which the " São Paulo " is the last surviving member , are of conventional CATOBAR design . The flight deck is long by wide ; the landing area is angled at 8 degrees off of the ship ' s axis . The forward aircraft elevator is to starboard , and the rear elevator is positioned on the deck edge to save hangar space . The forward of two catapults is on the bow to port ; the second catapult is farther back on the angled landing deck . The hangar deck dimensions are by with overhead . The " São Paulo " was purchased while still operational , an unusual process for such a large ship . She was received by the Brazilian Navy and was incorporated into the Brazilian Navy on 15 November 2000 . The incorporation of " São Paulo " and the AF - 1 fighter group marked the realization of Brazil ' s long - held goal of being able to conduct aerial defense of its naval forces with fixed - wing aircraft . President Fernando Henrique Cardoso noted during the transfer ceremony that : Since her construction , the " São Paulo " has received multiple upgrades , leaving her with a diverse range of technologies . In her current form , she is expected to remain effective in her role for the foreseeable future , though further modernization efforts are expected as she is converted into a combat - ready vessel . Brazilian service . In her first three years of service as the " São Paulo " , the ship completed several missions , some in foreign waters , particularly Operations ARAEX , PASSEX , and TEMPEREX , which is used annually to qualify and train the Argentine Navy ' s Super Etendard s and S - 2T Turbo Trackers . The " São Paulo " currently serves mainly to train pilots to fly carrier operations . She is actively used for the qualification and re - qualification of rotary and fixed - wing pilots ( with about 500 catapult launches ) , and she was used during the first Brazilian exercises to practice carrier - based attack missions . Upgrade ( 2005 – 2010 ) and sea trials . During 2005 – 2010 , the " São Paulo " underwent extensive modernization . The upgrade included inspection and repair of the steam turbines ; maintenance of the surface condenser s ; retubing of boilers ; repair of two high - pressure compressors ; revision of the AC electrical generator ; purchase of spare parts ; maintenance of pumps , valves , and structural items ; addition of two API oil - water separator s ; installation of two water cooling units ; upgrade of the chemical oxygen generator ; repair and treatment of oil tanks ; substitution of the Naval Tactical Data System ; installation of a closed - circuit television system ; installation of an IFF transponder ; installation of a MAGE system ( ESM ) ; flight deck inspection , repair , and painting ; upgrade of the Optical Landing System processing unit ; and revision of the aircraft catapult s . The upgrade was completed in July 2009 , and the " São Paulo " was initially due to be fully operational by August 2010 . Twelve Brazilian Navy A - 4 Skyhawks were also scheduled to be upgraded by Embraer at a cost of $ 140 million . The upgrade was similar to the ones done for the AMX and F - 5EM aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force . The program included restoring the aircraft and their current systems , as well as implementing new avionics , radar ( specifically the Elta 2032 radar system ) , power production , and autonomous oxygen generating systems . Possible weapons to be included in the upgrade were MAA - 1B , Python 4 , and Derby AAMS . The Brazilian Navy contracted Marsh Aviation to convert four S - 2T Turbo Trackers to an Airborne Early Warning ( AEW ) configuration , and four more for tanking and Carrier Onboard Delivery duties . According to an article in the October 2010 issue of Air Forces Monthly , it has been confirmed that Brazil has purchased ex - Australian and ex - Uruguayan airframes EX - USN C - 1 Trader airframes , for conversion into AEW planes and Tanker aircraft . All of the planes were to be upgraded to S - 2T Turbo Tracker configuration with Honeywell TPE 331 - 14GR engines . The purchase included nine airframes , of which two were for tanker conversion to refuel the AF - 1 Skyhawks , and three were for AEW . The rest were purchased as for spares or for cargo duties . The AEW radar requirement was to have a range of 250 miles at 25 , 000 feet . Operational lifespan for the airframes was to be 10 years . They were expected to be ready in 2011 and 2012 . The " São Paulo " ' s SH - 3 helicopter fleet was to be replaced by six S - 70B Seahawk helicopters . They were purchased in 2008 , upgraded , and refurbished for delivery . The helicopters and a package of engines and support equipment were scheduled for delivery in 2009 . At the end of 2010 , sea trials began , and as of 2011 the " São Paulo " had been evaluated by the CIASA ( Inspection Commission and Training Advisory ) . She is expected to rejoin the fleet in late 2013 . Crew . The " São Paulo ' s " complement is 1 , 920 ( the ship ' s company is 64 officers and 1274 sailors , with an additional 582 in the air group ) .