Brazilian dreams of becoming the first Latin American country to operate a nuclear submarine were reportedly discussed during a late January visit to Paris, France, by Brazil's defense minister Nelson Jobim.

Long-dormant plans to enter the nuclear submarine club were recently revived by Brazil, which already has a modest submarine-building capability.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported that Jobim discussed the possible purchase of a non-nuclear Scorpene-class submarine to improve Brazil's shipyard technology.

The Brazilian daily newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported that the Brazilian government wants to build the sub in Brazil at a price of US$ 600 million to be paid over 20 years.

The government already is spending about US$ 560 million to develop a submarine nuclear reactor by 2015.

Jobim was reported by Reuters to have met in Paris on January 28 with the head of DCNS, the state-owned French shipyard that makes the Scorpene. Chile already operates two Scorpènes, while six more are on order for India and two for Malaysia.

Brazil also is upgrading its existing submarine fleet. Lockheed Martin's Undersea Systems unit in Manassas, Virginia, was awarded a US$ 35 million contract January 29 to deliver new combat systems for Brazil's four Tupi-class diesel-electric submarines, the more modern Tikuna, and a shore-based trainer system.

Lockheed said in a press release that the modernized systems will "dramatically improve" the ship's war-fighting abilities and make them more capable of operating with U.S. and allied naval forces. The move comes after a recent Brazilian decision to buy Mark 48 Mod6AT heavyweight torpedoes from the U.S.

Lockheed's open-architecture systems will modernize the submarines' control, combat management, sonar and fire control and weapons launch systems.

The Brazilian submarines are based on the German HDW Type 209/1400 design. The Tikuna was built to an improved design at the navy's Arsenal de Marinha shipyard in Rio de Janeiro and commissioned in December 2005.

The Lockheed contract was awarded through the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command as part of a foreign military sale.

Mercopress

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written by jon, February 06, 2008

I understand the capabilities of submarines, but why nuclear?? Deisel and electric submarines operate all over the world and are very effective and quiet. Should this money go elsewhere??

hey Lula, how about the world's first bio-deisel operated sub...

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because
written by jakob, February 07, 2008

I understand the capabilities of submarines, but why nuclear??

Because some circles want to turn Brazil into a member of the nuclear club, no matter what

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written by Jim Proventia, February 07, 2008

Is this to offset the 3 russian kilo class subs Chavez is going to get in the very near future.
Arms race in South America is not something I signed for. I came to get away with that. Diesel subs are good only in water thats shallow by sub standards. Essentially lay in wait and when a larger navy's ships come they can ambush. Truly unless you are looking at some sort of offensive capability. Offensive as in first dtrike, it is offensive to me any nuclear type weapon which in essence a sub is. Who knows maybe there is the capability of indigens attacking on a Zodiac.......
Again there is really no reason outside of Lula flexing his new oil money to get into the big boys club.

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BRAZIL CANT AFFORD ITS NAVY NOW
written by forrest allen brown, February 08, 2008

with all the courpt officials robing the money from the military
and then that thet is stoled by the gennrals and admirls
brazil may be able to pay for a nuke row boat
but to think of the R&D money the build money , than the tranning of personal money
and just the upkeep well it wont be to long before it will be tyed to the dock like all the other ships brazil has .
rotteing away in rio navy yard
and with my dealings with capt Kleber Persick a sub mariner well he would take it out
and sell it to the FARC in columbia to buy a house in ihala bella
like all the others have done before him

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written by jon, February 08, 2008

Lula should go visit his BRIC buddy Putin and buy one of their many nuke subs rotting away in their northern ports...maybe he will see them as being high maintenace.

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just maybe chaves wont be able to buy or pay for any but a sub sandwich
written by forrest allen brown, February 08, 2008

U.S. Courts Freeze Venezuela Assets

Friday, February 8, 2008 9:13 AM

By: Newsmax StaffArticle Font Size

Courts in the U.S. and Britain have granted requests by ExxonMobil to freeze more than $12 billion in assets of Venezuela’s state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

ExxonMobil is seeking compensation for the nationalization of two oil projects in the South American country by the government of President Hugo Chavez.

“The freezing order prohibits PDVSA from disposing of its assets worldwide up to a value of $12 billion,” ExxonMobil spokeswoman Margaret Ross said in a statement, adding that the company “has also obtained attachment orders from courts in the Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles against PDVSA assets in each of these jurisdictions up to $12 billion.”

ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips have invested more than $3.5 billion in Venezuelan oil ventures, and both companies filed arbitration requests last year with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, reports BusinessWeek.

The court actions would make it difficult for the Venezuelan company to transfer assets ahead of the arbitration ruling, which could be years away.

ExxonMobil’s actions come as PDVSA seeks to raise money for its $77 billion investment program to more than double Venezuela’s oil production.

Venezuelan production has declined 25 percent since Chavez took office in 1999, largely because he fired more than 20,000 experienced engineers and executives for joining a 2002-3 walkout seeking Chavez’s removal from office, according to BusinessWeek.

PDVSA’s overall debt now stands at $16 billion, and a Venezuelan newspaper has raised questions about the company’s financial health.

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Forrest
written by João da Silva, February 08, 2008

BRAZIL CANT AFFORD ITS NAVY NOW

Who are you to say "No"?

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JOAO
written by forrest allen brown, February 09, 2008

I pay taxes on my land in brazil .

spent more money in court over taxes and fees from ibama , and the rest of the crooks down there

no less also knowing the roamdeep was striped by the navy in PE state and if you look through the cheep paint jobs
you can see the roamdeep logo on many things the navy has on its small craft

and now i have found out the roamdeep has been in a boat yard being set up for patrol from fortalaza to norna island
and costal duties .

also think of it this way with the money the navy would spend the social security could be improved on
or build a nuke power plant .
give grade school teachers a pay increse
build a 4 lane road from RIO to SAO LUOIS and maintain it
build bigger prisons
hire police to take control of the larger crime prone zones

out of the all the ships the navy brasil has the only ones running and staffed are the 3 frigeats from rio 8 river patrol boats
in theroy one sub ,and some other support craft

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If you can read correctly, it says.......
written by ch.c., February 09, 2008

"The Associated Press and Reuters reported that Jobim discussed the possible purchase of a.... non-nuclear Scorpene-class submarine ....to improve Brazil's shipyard technology."

NON NUCLEAR..... if you need CAPITAL LETTERS !!!!!!

Meaning with DIESEL FUEL !!!!!

Wheren is then the Nuclear side ???????


LAUGH...LAUGH....LAUGH !!!!

Concerning Exxon and Venezuela, it is rather funny that the Caribeans courts agreed to the assets freeze in view of Chavez
cheap petro-deals made with....the Caribeans countries.
Funny too for the USA, knowing that most Venezuelian heavy crude is refined in the USA, with a refining company owned by the Brazilian government called...
CITIC !!
Thus relatively easy to seize !!!

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ooops typing mistake
written by ch.c., February 09, 2008

CITIC is owned by the Venezuelian Government and....obviously not by the Brazilian Government.

Sorry for the typing mistake

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written by João da Silva, February 09, 2008

Nuclear Sub or not, I think 2008 is going to be a tough year. 40 Billion Reais less in the government coffer, the looming world recession resulting in less tax revenue and several other unexpected events will certainly force the government to review its social projects including the investment on our nuclear sub and other defense related projects.I think that the government should show its good will by extinguishing some of the ministries and reducing its expenses.I don't think that it will occur, because it is the year to elect Mayors and the elections are very important to consolidate the power of the ruling coalition.

I would really like to apologize to my fellow Brazilian bloggers for my pessimism,but over optimism can also lead to complacency.

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Jon
written by João da Silva, February 10, 2008

Lula should go visit his BRIC buddy Putin and buy one of their many nuke subs rotting away in their northern ports...maybe he will see them as being high maintenace.

FYI.Instead, Lula sent our brave defense minister a few days ago to Moscow. I briefly watched this news on the TV. Our defense minister looks very much like Gorbachev!. Anyway, the Russians are going to set up an armament factory in the southern state of RS.

Isn't it a wonderful news

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just what a country needs more guns
written by forrest allen brown, February 10, 2008

yes and with that note

we can look to SA looking like Afrcia in 20 years as all the different
people with out say will go to the gun to make there point

for better pay , schools , a real say so in the political machine of there countries

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Forest
written by João da Silva, February 10, 2008

for better pay , schools , a real say so in the political machine of there countries

Not possible with R$40 Billions less, unless you have an alternative plan.

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JOAO FIRE HALF OF THE PEOPLE ON THE GOVERMENT PAY ROLE
written by forrest allen brown, February 11, 2008

make every one that works for the goverment show up one day and thoes you have never seen before or dont know wher their desk is fire them

The Haircut


One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he asked about his bill and the barber replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop.
When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.


Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The cop is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.


Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The professor is very happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen different books, such as 'How to Improve Your Business' and 'Becoming More Successful'.


'Then, a Congressman comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies ,'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Congressman is very happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.


And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the members of our Congress.

Vote carefully this year.

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Guys are tripping
written by The first Exilee, February 22, 2008

See, you guys are tripping.
I know is hard for Brazilians that came using the coyote way to the US and worked on cleaning jobs to admit it but Brazil is an Economic powerhouse now!
I am American and found a Brazilian wife so I can move legally to Brazil. I am getting my assets here and investing in Brazil because while our economy is falling down to pieces and our country is drowning on a deep recession, Brazil is not.
Brazil zeroed its international debt. Brazil has available credit, including popular credit, and a booming economy. Brazil has just discovered the Tupi gas and oil field, which is one of the biggest in the world and also has Petrobras, the only company with enough technology to explore deep water oil fields. And crime and violence... Oh come on! Just walk through Central Park at night, or Miami's South Beach and you will see what crime, drug trafficking and violence are.
So you guys stop dreaming. Brazil is the place to be, is where the money is right now.

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