President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday March 27 that France was “alongside” Brazil in the construction of its submarines, a long-standing cooperation that includes the development of a nuclear-powered submersible.
“I hope that we open the chapter for new submarines […], that we face nuclear propulsion while being perfectly respectful of all the most rigorous non-proliferation commitments,” he said during of the launching of a conventionally powered Franco-Brazilian submarine in Itaguai, near Rio. “You want it, France will be at your side,” he added.
Brasilia is seeking to convince Paris to increase its technology transfers to help it integrate the reactor into the submarine and to sell it equipment linked to nuclear propulsion (turbine, generator).
“If Brazil wants access to knowledge of nuclear technology, it is not to wage war. We want this knowledge to assure all countries that want peace that Brazil will be on their side,” said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The Tonelero, launched on Wednesday, is the third of four conventionally powered Scorpènes planned as part of a broad partnership signed in 2008. The last, the Angostura, is due to be launched in 2025.
In addition, the agreement should allow Brazil to design and build its first nuclear attack submarine, the Alvaro Alberto.
The French naval defense industrialist Naval Group provides technical assistance for the design of the building, except for its nuclear part, the nuclear boiler room being designed by the Brazilians.
Correction on March 27 at 6:16 p.m.: correction of an error by Agence France-Presse in the transcription of Emmanuel Macron’s remarks concerning the nature of French cooperation with Brazil on nuclear propulsion.