Brazil building own nuclear submarine

kato

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
I'm not really surprised that they're finally doing it.

Brazil has a treaty with the IAEA that they may explicitly nuclear propulsion for submarines since 1991. The program itself was already going on by then, and by 1995, about US$1 billion had been spent on developing nuclear submarine propulsion. In the original planning, the first nuclear sub was supposed to be completed by 1995, but building it has been constantly postponed due to technical and financial problems as well as accusations of corruption in connection with the program.

Brazil's current subs (all U209-derived) are a bit small for the blue-water patrol task they're given. They still want to double the number of similar-sized diesel subs however, in addition to the planned nuclear project.
The nuclear submarine project will first produce a diesel sub to test the indigenously-designed hull, then two more units are planned to be built with nuclear reactors. Or at least that's what they were still planning in 2004.

The hint at "French technology" in the article is rather interesting though, maybe they're planning to buy some French hulls and fit them with reactors. Wonder how well that'll work.
 

contedicavour

New Member
I'm skeptical about this. The carrier is without operational catapults and with only 4 flying Skyhawks with basic equipment. The ex USN DDs (Para class) are going without replacement. The Barroso follow-on of the Inhauma still exists in only 1 ship vs the 16 once planned.
SSKs on the other hand are now 5 ie close to historical maximum, and they are almost entirely made in Brazil despite German design.
Why all of a sudden spend huge sums on a SSN which would require again foreign help ?? if the Brazilians have in mind a customized version of Barracuda class SSN then they'd better start saving money, it costs a fortune !

cheers
 

swerve

Super Moderator
Unless they can get an increase in military spending (unrealistic - Brazil has too many people on the state payroll with nothing to do except defend their salaries for that), or shoot half the officers in the armed forces*, just another pipe dream.

*Purely to save money. Too many officers drawing generous pay with nothing to do except defend their positions.
 

Izzy1

Banned Member
If memory serves and I may be wrong here, didn't Brazil and Argentina briefly explore a joint SSN programme back in the early 1990s? Probably no more than a feasibility study granted.

Agree with Conte, SSNs cost and Brazil has more pressing requirements.
 
Well Venezuela is plannning to get new SSKs and other equiptment. I am not surprise that Brazil is increasing it military spending but i am suprise in the way that they are spending it. Nuclear Subs are very costly to maintain.

The Brazilians might be interested in purchasing the SCALP Naval cruise missile to deploy in these subs. I would think that having the ability to deploy Cruise Missiles would be one of the key requirements for this project.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
...The Brazilians might be interested in purchasing the SCALP Naval cruise missile to deploy in these subs. ...
They might be interested, but France is a signatory of the MTCR, so won't sell it to them. The range is too long: breaches the treaty limit. They'd have to develop the technology for a cruise missile themselves, or buy it from a non-signatory.
 

nero

New Member
against whom

I'm not really surprised that they're finally doing it.

Brazil has a treaty with the IAEA that they may explicitly nuclear propulsion for submarines since 1991. The program itself was already going on by then, and by 1995, about US$1 billion had been spent on developing nuclear submarine propulsion. In the original planning, the first nuclear sub was supposed to be completed by 1995, but building it has been constantly postponed due to technical and financial problems as well as accusations of corruption in connection with the program.

Brazil's current subs (all U209-derived) are a bit small for the blue-water patrol task they're given. They still want to double the number of similar-sized diesel subs however, in addition to the planned nuclear project.
The nuclear submarine project will first produce a diesel sub to test the indigenously-designed hull, then two more units are planned to be built with nuclear reactors. Or at least that's what they were still planning in 2004.

The hint at "French technology" in the article is rather interesting though, maybe they're planning to buy some French hulls and fit them with reactors. Wonder how well that'll work.
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brazil doesn't have any enemies off the soccer-pitch

why do they need a nuclear-sub??

it's nothing but pure- muscle-flexing !!

i think brazil has taken the idea of being south-america's only potent military-poer , a bit too seriously.

kindly elaborate on the brazilian programme , if posisble.

.
 
They might be interested, but France is a signatory of the MTCR, so won't sell it to them. The range is too long: breaches the treaty limit. They'd have to develop the technology for a cruise missile themselves, or buy it from a non-signatory.
Brazil is also a partner of the MTCR. I was thinking of an export version that will be below the 300 KM range.
 
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Thery

New Member
.

brazil doesn't have any enemies off the soccer-pitch

why do they need a nuclear-sub??

it's nothing but pure- muscle-flexing !!

i think brazil has taken the idea of being south-america's only potent military-poer , a bit too seriously.

kindly elaborate on the brazilian programme , if posisble.

.
That is the same question I had in mind. The whole South America region is relatively peaceful. Why of sudden develop SSN? Even if Brazilian wants maintain is military superior over nearby countries, will it be more logic to just increase surface naval strength instead SSN?:confused:
 

Musashi_kenshin

Well-Known Member
Half a billion US$ isn't going to get them far. It will keep the project alive, but it will take a lot more money before they can get into a position to merely construct a class, let alone have boats enter service.

I do wonder if their priorities are a little mixed up.
 

Waylander

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
They had a nuclear weapons program back in the days of cold war (I think with South African support) but stopped it for various reasons.
 

nero

New Member
CHILE is next

who's next brazil have nuclear weapon
.

it sounds funny, but chile may be next,

considering the fact that chile has already acquired Scorpene-SSKs & is in talks with france to buy either SMX-23 or barracuda SSN.

i wonder why all of a sudden these south-american countries r vying for naval power, that too all of a sudden.


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