Brazil To Induct Nuclear-Powered Submarine In 2023

Brazil is all set to get its very own nuclear-powered submarine, according to President Dilma Rousseff.

Rousseff, on Friday, inaugurated a naval shipyard in Rio de Janeiro state where the country’s first nuclear-powered sub is set to be built in partnership with France.

 “We can say that with these installations we are entering the select club of countries with nuclear submarines: The United States, Russia, France, Britain and China,” said Rousseff.

Under the $3.95 billion deal, France will supply Brazil, which already has the uranium enrichment technology required for producing nuclear fuel, with four conventional submarines and help develop the non-nuclear components.

According to the defense ministry, the first of the four conventional Scorpene-class subs will be delivered to the Brazilian Navy in 2017, while the nuclear-powered vessel will be commissioned in 2023.

“This alliance (with France) must be carefully watched by all those who are taking part because our mission is to ensure that this technology is transferred to us in line with the contract,” Rousseff said.

The 75-meter-long (246-foot) Scorpene is a diesel-electric attack submarine built by France’s DCNS naval defense firm for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, special operations and intelligence collection.