The Riachuelo started a two-year port trial, during which it will be evaluated for leakage, buoyancy, and balance, including at sea. It will then be incorporated into the Submarine Force, under the Brazilian Navy Fleet Command, which plans naval and air operations.

“Brazil, as a peaceful country, doesn’t build its ships as a threat to anyone or to disturb the tranquility of national waters, but rather because a country with a coastline of more than 7,000 kilometers needs certain resources to defend its sovereignty and rich marine biodiversity,” said then Brazilian President Michel Temer at the launching ceremony.

“Today’s ceremony [December 14, 2018] is the most recent accomplishment of a government project. None of this would have been possible without planning, a sense of continuity, or long-term vision.”

PROSUB was launched to protect the 3.5-million square km offshore area known as the Blue Amazon – a region filled with Brazilian mineral and oil reserves – and to safeguard the sovereignty of the country’s coastline. Ninety five percent of exports and imports go through Brazilian waters, which also contain about 90 percent of the country’s oil.

Mega Structure

PROSUB’s 2008 launch was followed by the construction of the Naval Complex, a mega structure in which the four conventional submarines and the first Brazilian nuclear-powered submarine are being built simultaneously.

The complex, based in Itaguaí city, about 70 km from Rio de Janeiro, contains the required infrastructure to operate and maintain both models.

The Naval Complex, among the most modern in the Southern Hemisphere, has a built-in metal structure manufacturing unit, construction and maintenance shipyards – the Naval Base – as well as additional structures and shops. The construction is located a few meters away from the existing facilities of Nuclebrás Equipamentos Pesados company, which house the largest metal press in Latin America.

A technology transfer agreement between Brazil and France made PROSUB’s development possible. France agreed to transfer technology to Brazil and train Brazilian personnel in submarine planning and construction. There is no knowledge exchange, however, in the nuclear sector.

The Navy Nuclear Program at the Brazilian Navy’s Technological Center in São Paulo develops all PROSUB’s nuclear technology. Only six countries in the world can build and operate nuclear-powered submarines.

“The cornerstone for the Brazilian multipurpose reactor was laid last June [2018], for a reactor that will enable the country to achieve its radioisotope independency. We have one of the world’s largest uranium reserves, we own the nuclear technology, and we can use it across various segments to benefit our society; [we may also apply it] for many other purposes, such as agriculture, etc.,” said Brazilian Navy Admiral Bento Costa Lima Leite de Albuquerque Júnior, then general director of the Brazilian Navy’s nuclear and technological development.

PROSUB prioritized the purchase of components made in Brazil to strengthen the national defense industry. The total cost of the program is estimated at US$ 9.5 billion, with US$ 4.6 billion already invested.

After Riachuelo, it is estimated that one submarine will be launched at sea each year: the Humaitá in 2020, the Tonelero in 2021, and the Angostura in 2022. The Álvaro Alberto nuclear-propulsion submarine is set to launch in 2029.

The Riachuelo

The new submarines are a modified version of the diesel-electric Scorpène models used in France. The Riachuelo and similar versions have a 35-crew-member capacity, autonomy of more than 70 days at sea, and can reach speeds of more than 20 miles per hour and navigate at 300 meters deep.

The Riachuelo is 75 m long, equivalent to a four-story building, and weighs 1,870 tons. The new submarine has strong firepower, with 533 mm torpedo launchers, anti-ship missiles and devices to mine enemy areas, destroy ships, contain, limit, or delay transit.

During the two-year trials and sea evaluations, the submarine will have to navigate at maximum speed for several hours, cover large distances, emerge at an acute vertical angle, and submerge under critical conditions.

The Riachuelo will undergo battle simulations and virtual combat sieges. It will have to fire all arms and rehearse exit and rescue of combat diver teams. There will also be exercises such as fire combat, shipwreck, and stealth intelligence actions.

The defense and attack simulations will be part of crew members’ routine. The submarine will test diving safety limits, among others. Only then the Riachuelo will be able to complete its mission and protect the country’s oceanic waters.

Riachuelo will join the Brazilian Navy’s fleet of five submarines: Tupi, Tamoio, Timbira, Tapajó and Tikuna.

This article appeared originally in Diálogo – https://dialogo-americas.com/en/home

The Coordinator of the Nuclear Propulsion Program belonging to the Brazilian Navy Captain André Luis Ferreira quoted by the government news Agency Brazil said that once the country has the necessary technology to complete the nuclear cycle, this will grant the country independence from other suppliers in the process of uranium enrichment.

It is scheduled that the first phase of a plant for the production of uranium hexafluoride, from which enriched uranium is developed, should be completed at the military complex or Aramar in the state of São Paulo sometime late this year.

Captain Ferreira said that residues generated from the hexafluoride process will be treated several times to minimize the environment impact.

The announcement of the hexafluoride plant occurs just a week after Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva together with the Turkish Prime Minister helped strike a deal with Iran regarding its nuclear fuel, which has triggered an ongoing international diplomatic confrontation. Iran’s nuclear fuel, according to the agreement reached, will be partly enriched in Turkey.

Lula has repeatedly defended Iran’s right to develop its own nuclear program for peaceful purposes. Similarly vice president José Alencar had publicly defended Brazil’s right to develop nuclear weapons as a dissuasive element and for the defense of its own territory and natural resources particularly the rich offshore oil deposits. This includes the construction of nuclear powered submersibles, which is a long cherished project of the Brazilian navy.

Brazil has two nuclear plants in the city of Angra do Reis, state of Rio de Janeiro which contributes with 3% of power to the national grid. Since uranium enrichment in Brazil on an industrial scale only begun this year but mostly on an experimental basis, most of the enriched fuel at 4%, for the current power plants comes from overseas.

Ferreira also said that the new processing plant will help the navy have its first reactor for the country’s first nuclear submarine by 2014. The reactor will in a first stage function with uranium enriched 5% that will later increase to 20%.

“The Navy’s reactor will help as a model for future nuclear plants,” said Ferreira. He also anticipated that Brazil should reach nuclear fuel self sufficiency by 2014 and the first nuclear powered submarine will begin to be constructed in Brazil in 2016, to be finished and launched by 2021. The submarine will be developed with French technology and is based on the Scorpone submersibles model.

Mercopress

Through a press statement, the Brazilian navy said that the agreement forecasts the transfer of technology necessary not just for the military designers, but also for the several companies that are going to participate in the construction of conventional submarines and of the first Brazilian nuclear submarine.

According to the Brazilian Navy, many national products should be used in the submarines. "Up to now, there are already over 30 national companies involved, which should contribute with over 36,000 items, including complex systems," according to the press statement.

Apart from that, a shipyard will be built in Itaguaí­, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, to build the nuclear submarine. The site should also serve for the production of conventional submarines and should include a naval base for support of these vessels. According to the government of Rio de Janeiro, the works should be developed by Odebrecht and by Sepetiba Consortium.

Still according to the Brazilian Navy, the entire production process of the submarines and of the shipyards should generate over 2,000 direct jobs and around 6,000 indirect ones.

The agreement for cooperation defines that the French help should be limited, in the long run, to the design and to the non-nuclear part of the first Brazilian nuclear submarine. According to the document, the vessel should use conventional weapons and both the nuclear reactor and the electronic systems associated to it should be developed by Brazil.

Although exempting itself from any responsibility with regard to damaged caused to third parties by the submarine or by its land support installations, the agreement forecasts the establishment of companies or consortia of private rights established by public, private or mixed-capital companies, Brazilian or French, to develop and build a submarine capable of receiving a nuclear reactor, produced according to international safety procedures.

The government of France agreed to authorize the sale, by French companies, of equipment, material and services to the Brazilian Navy or to Brazilian companies. Apart from that, the two countries should also consider the possibility of, totally or partially, exempting goods and services imported or produced for these purposes from direct or indirect taxes.

ABr

Brazil does not have nuclear weapons. The submarine is the highlight of the Brazil's new defense plan, which is to be made public on September 7, Independence Day.

Brazil is believed to have earmarked US$ 3.5 billion by the end of 2010 to upgrade its weapon systems, according to reports in the local media.

Speaking in Rio de Janeiro, Jobim said the upgrade includes provisions for a massive technology transfer from France, essential if Brazil hopes to have a nuclear submarine.

In February, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said France would transfer technology to Brazil for construction of the diesel-powered Scorpene attack submarine. It will serve as a model for a nuclear sub, Brazilian officials have said.

Brazil has discussed building a nuclear submarine for decades, and began a formal program in 1979. However with the return of democracy in 1985 plans were delayed and ultimately shelved and only last year Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, announced US$ 540 million in new funding for the program and for existing uranium enrichment efforts.

The nation has five conventionally powered submarines and is expected to incorporate several of the Scorpene class submarines in the near future. Chile is the other South American country which has two Scorpene submarines delivered two years ago.

Brazil has been discussing defense policy and revamping its armed forces capabilities on mounting worries about protecting the recently discovered massive off-shore oil reserves and the resources rich Amazon.

Mercopress

For that purpose, a binational company would be formed, to develop a small-size reactor already created by Argentina's INVAP technology institute and to be installed in conventional French designed Scorpene class submarines.

Earlier this month, France had agreed to provide Brazil with technology to build an attack submarine, but dismissed the possibility of any nuclear technology transfer. Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said that this project would also be useful in the construction of nuclear energy plants.

During a visit to Argentina, Brazilian Defense Minister, Nelson Jobim, said that "we have talked with Defense Minister, Nilda Garré, and three Argentine commanders with whom we agreed to create a binational company to develop the compact nuclear small-sized reactor" to be used in a locally made submarine, said the minister in an interview with Argentina's daily newspaper Clarí­n.

Before returning to Brazil from last week's energy summit the minister said that the military project also has civil purposes: "This technology will allow us to build energy plants with the capacity to supply big cities."

Jobim mentioned that Brazil has discussed a strategic alliance with French President Nicolas Sarkozy "to build a non-nuclear part of the submarine in Brazil. Meanwhile, the power plant would come from the Argentine-Brazilian binational company."

Sarkozy had stated earlier this month that France was willing to transfer technology to allow the Scorpene French attack submarine and Rafale fighter planes to be built in Brazil, but he stopped short of any nuclear technology transfer.

The Scorpene class submarine is a conventional attack submarine, but Brazilian officials have said they want the diesel-powered vessel to serve as a model for the development of a Brazilian-Argentine nuclear submarine that would be the first in Latin America.

The nuclear technology would come from CAREM, a small-sized-reactor prototype developed by INVAP Argentine state-run technology institute. INVAP was created in 1976 through an agreement between the National Atomic Energy Commission and the Rí­o Negro government.

A pioneer in nuclear technology in the region, INVAP has exported nuclear technology to Peru, Algeria, Egypt, and recently a 20 MW power plant to Australia. It is the only Argentine company acknowledged by the NASA to construct satellites in Argentina, and is now in charge of building radars to supply local airports.

Last Monday the Argentine government agreed to create a commission on pursuing joint uranium enrichment for peaceful nuclear energy purposes, including the joint construction of a nuclear-powered electricity generator and of a satellite.

Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Argentina's leader, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, had instructed their governments to begin negotiations over the next 120 days toward creating the binational commission. Jobim said that Argentines will provide experience in the nuclear sector.

Mercopress

Long-dormant plans to enter the nuclear submarine club were recently revived by Brazil, which already has a modest submarine-building capability.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported that Jobim discussed the possible purchase of a non-nuclear Scorpene-class submarine to improve Brazil's shipyard technology.

The Brazilian daily newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported that the Brazilian government wants to build the sub in Brazil at a price of US$ 600 million to be paid over 20 years.

The government already is spending about US$ 560 million to develop a submarine nuclear reactor by 2015.

Jobim was reported by Reuters to have met in Paris on January 28 with the head of DCNS, the state-owned French shipyard that makes the Scorpene. Chile already operates two Scorpènes, while six more are on order for India and two for Malaysia.

Brazil also is upgrading its existing submarine fleet. Lockheed Martin's Undersea Systems unit in Manassas, Virginia, was awarded a US$ 35 million contract January 29 to deliver new combat systems for Brazil's four Tupi-class diesel-electric submarines, the more modern Tikuna, and a shore-based trainer system.

Lockheed said in a press release that the modernized systems will "dramatically improve" the ship's war-fighting abilities and make them more capable of operating with U.S. and allied naval forces. The move comes after a recent Brazilian decision to buy Mark 48 Mod6AT heavyweight torpedoes from the U.S.

Lockheed's open-architecture systems will modernize the submarines' control, combat management, sonar and fire control and weapons launch systems.

The Brazilian submarines are based on the German HDW Type 209/1400 design. The Tikuna was built to an improved design at the navy's Arsenal de Marinha shipyard in Rio de Janeiro and commissioned in December 2005.

The Lockheed contract was awarded through the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command as part of a foreign military sale.

Mercopress

Brazil's Defense Minister, Nelson Jobim, traveled to Paris last week to discuss the possible purchase of a diesel-powered Scorpène class submarine that would "serve as a model for the development of a nuclear submarine, which is the main objective of his visit," admitted Defense Ministry spokesman José Ramos.

"Any defense-related agreement that may eventually be signed with France must include the transfer of technology," Ramos emphasized, noting that while Brazil has nuclear reactors and fuel enrichment capacity, it yet has not the technology to build a nuclear submarine.

Ramos declined to confirm a report, published by the daily Folha de S. Paulo newspaper that Brazil would buy the submarine for US$ 600 million, paid over 20 years at an annual interest rate of 2.4% percent.

Brazil has discussed building a nuclear submarine for decades, and began a formal program in 1979 under the military regime. Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, announced US$ 540 million in new funding for the program and for existing uranium enrichment efforts last July.

Brazil currently has five conventionally powered submarines. Copper rich Chile recently renewed its submersible fleet with the acquisition of two Scorpène class submarines.

If an agreement results in the construction of a nuclear submarine then "Brazil will surely become the first country in Latin America to have one" said Daryl Kimball who is executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, a nonpartisan research group.

Ramos said Brazil wants to establish a strategic partnership with France to transfer technology. France is interested in Brazilian know-how on jungle warfare and "the use of electronic equipment in the humidity of tropical rain forests," he said.

The Brazilian air force and arms industry, dating back to the US arms embargo in the seventies, has a long standing close relation with France.

Mercopress

Brazil will launch its fourth submarine, the Tikuna, on Wednesday, March 9. The construction of the vessel at the Navy Arsenal in Rio de Janeiro resulted in the generation of 2.1 thousand indirect jobs.

According to the Navy’s Public Relations Service, construction of the Tikuna began in 1996 and Brazil is the only country south of the Equator capable of building submarines.

Also according to the Navy, only 15 countries in the world build vessels of this size. The technological preparation of the Arsenal began in 1979, and over the last 26 years, 4 submarines have been constructed.

The project for the Tikuna is an adaptation of the German IKL-209. The vessel is 60 meters long and 6 meters wide and can operate at depths superior to 200 meters.

The vessel is an adaptation of the German IKL-209 model, but it “includes various technological innovations developed by Brazilian engineers, especially regarding electrical energy generation, in the shot guidance system and in the sensors.”

Submarine Tikuna was manufactured at the Navy Yard in Rio de Janeiro and is the fifth in its class to go into operation in the country. The first was built in Germany by the Howaldtswerke Deustche (HDW) consortium.

The other three units, Tamoio, Timbira and Tapajós, were produced at the Navy Yard in Rio de Janeiro, through an agreement for  technology transfer.

Tupi class submarines may carry a crew of 30 and over 1,400 tons under the water. The maximum speed is 21.5 knots when submerged. The vessels have eight torpedo launchers and transport 16 torpedoes or mines.

The Tikuna has been improved, however. The vessel may have a crew of up to 42, among them sailors, technicians and officers, with a capacity for transport of 1,550 tons under water, and reaches a top speed of
25 knots. The vessel may spend up to 50 days in operation.