This was announced by Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Brazil
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Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that France would help Brazil develop nuclear technology for submarines.
“I want us to open the chapter on new submarines … that we see nuclear propulsion in the face while fully respecting all non-proliferation commitments,” Macron said as he launched a conventional Franco-Brazilian submarine at Itaguai near Rio de Janeiro.
Macron was speaking during the launch of Brazil’s third French submarine, which will help secure the country’s long coastline, dubbed the “Blue Amazon”.
The construction of the submarines was part of a 2008 deal between Lula and then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy, which also included the purchase of 50 Caracal helicopters.
Brazil also plans to build its first nuclear-powered submarine, the Alvaro Alberto, which would make it the first country outside the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to do so.
**The plan for the Amazon
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French President Emmanuel Macron kicked off an official visit to Brazil on Tuesday by announcing a 1 billion euro green investment plan in the Amazon along with his counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Their trip to the city of Belem, host to the 2025 UN climate talks, makes Macron the first French president to visit Brazil in 11 years, seeking a fresh start after falling out with former president Jair Bolsonaro over destruction of the environment and the insults directed at his wife, Brigitte Macron.
The investment plan aims to raise “€1 billion ($1.08 billion) of public and private investment over the next four years,” according to a roadmap published by the French presidency ahead of next year’s COP30 summit.
The leaders seek to promote “a major public and private global investment plan in the bioeconomy” in the Brazilian and Guyana Amazon, the statement said, especially as Brazil holds the G20 presidency for 2024.
Paris sees Brasilia as a bridge to major emerging economies whose voices Brazil is trying to amplify through its presidency of the G20 and its participation in the BRICS+ group.