BRASÍLIA: Brazil has unveiled its aim to develop its first nuclear-powered submarine in ten years in a bid to what it describes make the nation develop in an independent sovereign way.
In this regard, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Friday inaugurated a naval shipyard capable of making four French-designed submarines and eventually a fifth submarine powered by a nuclear reactor developed solely by Brazil.
Brazil is a peaceful country, but needs a strong defense industry so that Latin America’s largest nation can “develop in an independent sovereign way,” said Rousseff.
The 7.8 billion reais ($3.95 billion) project will turn out the first conventional submarine in 2015; the nuclear-powered submarine will be commissioned in 2023 and enter operation in 2025, the Brazilian Navy said in a statement, Reuters reported.