Brazil aims to build first nuclear sub within 12 years - agency

The Brazilian military, which has five conventionally powered submarines in service with the navy, has been seeking to build a nuclear submarine for decades amid worries about the security of its offshore oil reserves. According to the Brazilian navy, a decision has been made to construct a new submarine base and a shipyard capable of building diesel-electric and nuclear-powered submarines on one of the islands near the coast of Rio de Janeiro state. Brazil has been closely cooperating with France on the project. In line with a bilateral agreement announced in December last year, France will help Brazil build the base and four modified Scorpene-type diesel-electric subs under a French license. The first submarine is to be delivered in 2014, and the rest of the class is to follow at two-year intervals. The same agreement envisions a massive technology transfer from France, which is essential to Brazil's hopes of building a nuclear submarine; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version