President Emmanuel Macron has pledged French assistance for Brazilian scientists and engineers in their drive to develop nuclear technology for submarines.
"I want us to open the chapter for new submarines, that we look nuclear propulsion in the face while being perfectly respectful of all non-proliferation commitments," Macron said at the launch of a conventionally powered Franco-Brazilian submarine in Itaguai near Rio de Janeiro.
"You want it, France will be at your side."
Macron was speaking during a ceremony to launch Brazil's third French-designed submarine, which will help secure the country's long coastline, dubbed the "Blue Amazon."
Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended a ceremony in the Itaguai shipyard near Rio de Janeiro, launching the third diesel-powered submarine built in a $10 billion partnership.
The construction of the submarines was outlined in a 2008 deal between Lula and then French president Nicolas Sarkozy, which also included the purchase of 50 Caracal helicopters.
Brazil is also planning to build its first nuclear-powered submarine, the Alvaro Alberto, which would make it the first country outside the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to do so.
The French naval defence manufacturer Naval Group is supporting the design and construction of the submarine, except for the nuclear boiler which is being designed by the Brazilians.
Macron and Lula launch submarine built in Brazil with French tech https://t.co/Zf7cdayn25 pic.twitter.com/fevSSDt2Bu
— Anthony Boadle (@AnthonyBoadle) March 27, 2024
Brasilia has been trying to convince Paris to increase technology transfers to help it integrate the reactor into the submarine and sell it equipment linked to nuclear propulsion.
France has been reticent to transfer such technology due to the challenges of nuclear proliferation.
"There are discussions on the possibility of France cooperating with us, including on nuclear energy, nuclear fuel," according to the European head of Brazilian diplomacy, Maria Luisa Escorel de Moraes, who recognizes that it is a "strategic, sensitive, delicate matter."
However, the project has suffered significant delays, mainly due to budget constraints, and the nuclear sub is now expected to be launched between 2036 and 2037, according to the Brazilian navy.
Macron's whirlwind tour of Brazil kicked off Tuesday with the launch of a plan to raise more than onebillion dollars in green investments to protect the Brazilian and Guyanese Amazon.
Macron landed on Tuesday in the Amazon city of Belem, where Brazil will host the United Nations COP30 climate negotiations in 2025.
He will also meet business executives in Sao Paulo later on Wednesday and make a state visit to Brasilia on Thursday.
The visit, the first by a French president to Latin America's economic giant in more than a decade, is also a move to reset ties which had deteriorated significantly under former president Jair Bolsonaro.
(with newswires)
