President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that France was “supporting” Brazil in building its submarines, a long-standing collaboration that includes the development of a nuclear-powered submarine, AFP reported.

“I would like us to open a chapter for new submarines, the fourth, the fifth, but (…) looking forward to nuclear thrust, fully respecting all the strictest non-proliferation obligations,” he said at the launch. a Franco-Brazilian conventionally powered submarine in Itagua, near Rio.

“This framework is possible. You want. France will be with you,” he added, without announcing specific cooperation to help Brasilia develop a nuclear engine.

Brasilia is trying to convince Paris to increase the transfer of technology to help him integrate the reactor into the submarine and to sell him equipment related to the nuclear engine (turbine, generator).

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who attended the ceremony with him, echoed the request.

“If Brazil wants access to knowledge about nuclear technology, it is not to wage war. We want this knowledge to reassure all countries that want peace that Brazil will be with them,” Lula said.

The Tonelero, launched on Wednesday, is the third of four conventionally powered Scorpene-class ships in a major partnership signed in 2008. The latest, Angostura, is due to be launched in 2025.

The deal will also allow Brazil to design and build its first nuclear-powered submarine, the Alvaro Alberto.

French naval contractor Naval Group provides technical support in the design of the ship, except for the nuclear part, where the nuclear boiler room is being designed by the Brazilians. The project was plagued by delays.

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