Brazil has taken delivery of the last of three ocean patrol vessels made by BAE Systems in Britain, which is now on a 8,693-mile journey home.

The Amazonas class ship was built largely in the BAE Systems Surface Ships facility at Scotstoun, near Glasgow, Scotland, and was completed in the defense group's southern English shipyard at Portsmouth.

Senior Brazilian naval officers and crew were sent to Portsmouth for the inaugural departure and military festivities.

Brazil is modernizing its aging naval fleet amid increasing awareness of challenges faced by rapid proliferation of its offshore oil and gas installations, drug traffickers using improvised submersibles to ship narcotics to Central and North American destinations and illegal immigration from neighboring Latin American countries.

Brazil has begun manufacturing its own light naval craft and patrol boats, but still depends on international manufacturers for larger ships. France is helping Brazil build a number of submarines, at least one to be nuclear-powered.

The latest ocean patrol vessel in the Brazilian navy's inventory was christened Araguari, after the city and municipality in northwestern Minas Gerais state. The ship will sail to Rio do Janeiro next month after a tour of southern European and west African ports.

The costs of the project, construction, maintenance and training of personnel, were not discussed.

The 1,900-ton, 295-foot long vessel wields a 30-millimeter canon, two 25-millimeter guns and a helicopter flight deck. The ship is designed to patrol Brazil's shores as well as support humanitarian and search and rescue operations.

Modeled after British Royal Navy Class River patrol vessels, the two ships already in service, Amazonas and Apa, supplemented security operations involving all Brazilian forces during the recent visit of Pope Francis.

Brazil contracted to buy the British ships because, as part of the deal, it secured license to produce similar vessels in Brazil.

BAE Systems Maritime commercial director Nigel Stewart said the completion of the three vessels was a "testament to the strong relationship between BAE Systems and the Brazilian navy as we worked in partnership to deliver these formidable ships."

"Araguari performed incredibly well through sea trials so we are immensely proud to see her sailing with her first crew," Stewart said.

"I hope this project is the start of a long-term relationship between BAE Systems and the Brazilian navy," said Capt. Giancarlo Villas Boas, head of the Brazilian navy support team.

Araguari will make diplomatic visits in Europe and Africa before crossing the South Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro in September. After a brief stay, the ship will then proceed to home port in the northeastern city of Natal.