Brazil Seeks to Build Nuclear Submarine

[Judi Lynn]

Brazil Seeks to Build Nuclear Submarine
By STAN LEHMAN – 22 hours ago

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Brazil is seeking to buy military technology from France that could help it become the first country in Latin America to have a nuclear submarine, the Defense Ministry said on Monday.

Defense Minister Nelson Jobim traveled to France last week to discuss the possible purchase of a diesel-powered Scorpene class submarine that would "serve as a model for the development of a nuclear submarine, which is the main objective of his visit," said Defense Ministry spokesman Jose Ramos.

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

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

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[Judi Lynn]

1. Brazil May Buy 50 French Helicopters for Military, Estado Says

Brazil May Buy 50 French Helicopters for Military, Estado Says

By Adriana Brasileiro

Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said Brazil is in talks to buy 50 Cougar helicopters from France's Eurocopter SA, O Estado de S. Paulo reported.

The aircraft would be used by Brazil's air force, army and the navy, the newspaper said, adding Jobim declined to disclose the value of the transaction. The proposed purchase agreement includes a pledge by Eurocopter to expand production at its Brazilian subsidiary, Helibras, brining to Brazil the Dauphin line of medium-size helicopters, Estado added.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aNgTTBiAWufw&refer=latin_america