Below is some recent news about the shipbuilding plans of Brazil's Navy.

Brazil kicks off nuclear submarine project
7/10/2012 | Jane's Defence Weekly

The Brazilian Navy on 6 July officially began its latest attempt to indigenously develop and build - with French assistance - a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN).

Design and development of the new boat under the SN-BR (Submarino com Propulsão Nuclear Brasileiro) programme is expected to take about three more years, with construction scheduled to start in 2016 and delivery following in 2025.

To support the project, Brazil has established a nuclear learning and training centre (CIANA) and the first of four factories to produce uranium hexafluoride. Nuclebrás Equipamentos Pesados (NUCLEP) will supply heavy elements for the effort.

Following the revival by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in June 2007 of long-standing ambitions to acquire an SSN, the programme was relaunched by the navy in September 2008.

As part of its PROSUB (Programa de Desenvolvimento de Submarinos) development programme, Brazil in September 2009 awarded French shipbuilder DCNS and its local partner, Odebrecht, contracts to build a naval shipyard, a submarine base and four Scorpene diesel-electric submarines under a technology transfer agreement; the pact also included technical assistance for the design and construction of the non-nuclear portions of the proposed SSN.

The submarine design school at the DCNS shipyard in Lorient, northwest France, will assist the Brazilian Navy with design work on the SSN's hull, which will be built by Itaguaí Construções Navais, the joint venture that will operate the new shipyard at Itaguai near Rio de Janeiro.

The SSN will feature DCNS' Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS) and Thales Underwater Systems' S-CUBE sonar. Sagem is to supply its inertial navigation system, optronic tracking mast, attack periscope and navigation radar mast.

Armament is slated to include MBDA SM 39 Exocet Block 2 anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.

The first conventional submarine under PROSUB is expected to enter service in 2017 and the final boat in 2021, a DCNS spokesperson said on 6 July.

IHS Jane's understands that Brazil's long-term plans include additional submarine construction. The navy currently has five Type 209/1400 submarines in service.