Why Does Brazil Need Nuclear Subs?

Why Does Brazil Need Nuclear Subs?

A friend of mine brought to my attention an interesting article from the June 2009 edition of Proceedings magazine, published by the U.S. Naval Institute. The piece focuses on Brazil’s desire to obtain a nuclear powered submarine, but also touches on Brazil’s new-found military ambition. It’s a well-done article by author Paul D Taylor, titled “Why Does Brazil Need Nuclear Submarines?” and you can read it yourself by clicking here. It’s short, but a good read.

Why I bring this up is that earlier this year I attended LAAD, Latin American Aerospace and Defense Show in Rio and did some reporting about how the military industrial complex is finding new buyers in Latin America. LAAD happens once every two years. It’s now one of the biggest military arms shows in Latin America, and it full of interesting stories. Click here to get to the LAAD web site. At LAAD, business is good. My basic premise was, ‘Why?’  The answers vary from country-to-country, but without a doubt Brazil is looking to upgrade its military. People within the Brazilian military say it’s long overdue, they need new hardware.  And they are probably right. But there are those against it, see You Tube link above to my story for more on this. But let’s face it, for a peaceful country like Brazil, spending big on military toys is a luxury. Brazil can now afford it, given the economy is stronger than ever. At least that is how the Lula Administration seems to see it.

But a bigger story than the nuclear sub, is the fact Brazil is in the final phases of deciding which company will get the contract to supply Brazil’s Air Force with 25 new fighter jets. It’s a major purchase, years in the making. It was put on hold when Lula first got to power, as he focused on his poverty reduction agenda. But now, flsuh with cash, the jets contract is back on. The finalists are Boeing’s F18 Super Hornet (USA); Dassault Rafale (France); and the Saab Gripen (Germany). All three companies had huge platforms at LAAD, with fancy lights and glossy promotional material about their jet. Reps from all companies personally showed off their ware to President Lula when he toured LAAD one night after it was closed to the public. All three companies want to win the contract badly. Two billion dollars is on the line. (Privately, a rep from one of the three finalists told me sales in Europe have tanked - or been put on freeze - with the economic crisis, so the Brazil deal has new-found importance).  It will be interesting to see which Brazil goes with. I will keep you posted. The Ministry of Defense is just weeks away from making a decision.