Brazil's new nuclear subs to defend oil wells (really?)

[ensho]

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/07/201172213173679528.html


Work on the country's first nuclear submarines has begun in an effort to defend oil reserves and project global power.

(project global power?)


Plans for a Brazilian nuclear submarine that had been postponed since the 1970s are beginning to materialise, as the nuclear-propelled sub is regarded as a strategic necessity to guard Brazil's deep water oil reserves, and to project global power.

Steel plates piled up in a warehouse at Nuclebrás Equipamentos Pesados (NUCLEP), a mixed capital company in Itaguaí, about 80km from Rio de Janeiro, are labelled "submarine plates".

-snip-

"Brazil is taking another step toward affirming its status as a developed country with sophisticated industry capable of absorbing, mastering and using advanced technologies."

(actually this is an expensive step backwards)

In addition, work has begun on building a shipyard, a naval base and a metal structures factory, and, according to the navy, more than 30 Brazilian companies are to start producing the more than 36,000 different components needed.

-long snip-

Like Gonçalves, Santoro believes that ProSub's defensive role is emphasised "to assert the idea of a traditionally peaceful country that does not harbour expansionist aims, does not wish to enlarge its territory or conquer other countries, and does not want an imperialist arms race".
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sure

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. 30 Brazilian companies? n/t

[Skink]

2. one way not to have to worry about piracy.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Your classic defintion of overkill.

Sounds like Brazil's own MIC wants more of that government budget for their bottom line.