In 1978, while the military regime in the country, Brazil started a secret nuclear program that included the development of nuclear weapons. This program aimed at nuclear reactors that would be used in submarines. The programs continued until the '80s. In 1982, the economic crisis slowed down the plans. The military regime ended in 1985 and the plans were abandoned in 1990.
In the first years of the '00s, the Brazilian nuclear program was brought back to life. It's an interesting fact that they were disagreements between Brazil and the International Atomic Energy Agency. These disagreements were about some inspections on the Brazilian nuclear reactor Angra.
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The ultimate Russian nuclear submarine that frightens China
In 2008, the country showed for another time its high interest in nuclear technology and the interest in nuclear submarines. In the same year, the Brazilian president signed a contract with the French about the construction of a submarine. In 2008 the country requested 4 french submarines of the Scorpene class with conventional propulsion systems. Although, Brazil specially requested these submarines to have extra space for nuclear reactors, even if France didn't join its construction. The French submarines started production in 2010 while thE Brazilian ones in 2018. The Brazilian submarines are named Alvaro Alberto and the first one aims to be done in 2017. The ship will be fully operational around 2032.
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Σοκαριστική εκπαίδευση της μονάδας υποβρυχίων καταστροφών της Ταιβάν
Alvaro Alberto submarines are even bigger and have specially designed space for their nuclear reactors. They have a 9,8m beam, 100m length, and a displacement of 6,000t. The French Scorpene-class is 75m long, has a beam of 7,5m, and a displacement of 2,000t.
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Αυτό είναι το πιο επικίνδυνο υποβρύχιο εκτός Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών
The nuclear propulsion system provides much more endurance than the diesel Scorpene. It can stay underwater for months without limiting its stealth profile or needing refueling. Also, it doesn't need to be submerged often and can sail faster. The French submarines have an autonomy of 50 days, while the Brazilian ones can go as long as the food supplies last.
Alvaro Alberto is equipped with torpedoes and will feature a Vertical Launching System with a variety of different missiles.
It is estimated that the nuclear-powered attack submarines of the Brazilian Navy will cost an impressive amount of 7,5 million dollars per unit.
