France, Brazil Forge Military Pact

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Published Tuesday, February 12, 2008
France, Brazil Forge Military Pact

By NATHALIE SCHUCK
Associated Press Writer

SAINT-GEORGES DE L'OYAPOCK, French Guiana - France is ready to transfer technology to Brazil so that an attack submarine, helicopters and the Rafale fighter plane can be built there, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday.

Sarkozy met with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Saint-Georges de Oyapock, on the border with Brazil on the second and last day of his trip to France's largest overseas territory.

Sarkozy also said France was willing to transfer technology to allow a French attack submarine and fighter planes to be built in Brazil, but he stopped short of any nuclear technology transfer.
(snip)

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


Read more: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20080212/API/802120982

[Bicoastal]

1. THIS JUST IN: France has equipped exactly 3 Brazillian troops with advanced technology...

...and George Bush is now hiding under his desk.

Sorry, sorry...:+

[Judi Lynn]

4. Bush was so popular when he visited Brazil, wasn't he? On 2nd thought, maybe not.

I read that the "Fora Bush" signs they had all over the place mean "Get Out!"

[reggie the dog]

6. this is normal

They are one of our neighbor countries so we want to have stable relations with them.

[Bicoastal]

7. That's because Cheney told him "3 Brazillian Troops are now heavily armed by the..."

...you know what, a joke loses something when you have to explain it. :(

[kickysnana]

9. ROFLOL, I got it and showed it to my 70 yr old Aunt and she got it, sorry I didn't reply. n/t

[WCGreen]

2. Interesting alliance...

One of teh up and coming economic giants of the 21st century with a once great world power...

[dantyrant]

8. The franco-german powers see an opportunity

to swoop in when the Anglo-American machine is weak in Latin America.

France also announced a military base in UAE, IIRC.

The French as a 21st century imperial power? Doesn't even pass the laugh test.

[DCKit]

3. Why does Brazil think they need a submarine?

Sounds like somebody's been looking north and getting ambitious - or nervous.

[The Croquist]

10. France makes pretty good military equipment but a sub?

Submarines are good for either economic warfare or for breaking a blockade. They are also very expensive.
I didn't think Brazil had that big an issue with their neighbors.

[ohio2007]

12. Is it a brown water navy sub ? nt

[Judi Lynn]

5. Brazil, France envisage big defense pact in 2008

Brazil, France envisage big defense pact in 2008


www.chinaview.cn 2008-02-13 11:07:23

BRASILIA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- France and Brazil announced a commitment on Tuesday to signing a big arms deal by the end of 2008, news reports said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, met in French Guiana for closed talks before declaring they wanted to forge a "strategic alliance" accord this year.

The agreement includes a technology transfer that will enable the building of a Scorpene submarine, ground attack aircraft and helicopters in the South American country bordering the overseas French state.

The construction of a Scorpene submarine, a conventional attacksub, would allow Brazil to take another step in the development of nuclear submarines. Brazilian officials have said they want the Scorpene sub to serve as a model.

Sarkozy said France is ready to pass Brazil "not just military materials" and that Brazil will be treated with transparency in the process.

"There are no taboos. Brazil is a force for democracy and a friend of France," Sarkozy said at a press conference. "We French are transparent with our friends and our two nations are disposed to work for peace."

More:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/13/content_7596686.htm

[ohio2007]

11. Has Hugo chimed in on this 'threat' to Venezuela?

enemies to the west,enemies to the east
enemies to the south.

/sarc