Brazil Buys 50 Helicopters, 5 Submarines From France

Brazil Buys 50 Helicopters, 5 Submarines From France (NSI News Source Info) December 23, 2008: Brazil on Tuesday signed contracts to buy 50 military transport helicopters and five submarines from France. The submarine deal involves the purchase of four conventionally powered Scorpene submarines, and the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine to be built with French cooperation.The first of two conventional Scorpene submarines ordered by Malaysia waits for its launching in Cherbourg, Normandy, northwestern France, October 2007. Brazil on Tuesday signed contracts to buy 50 military transport helicopters and five Scorpene submarines from France

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Rio de Janeiro. The contracts, whose value was not divulged during the event, involve significant transfers of technology -- a priority for Brazil, which wants to develop an advanced defense industry of its own. As a result, the EC-725 transport helicopters are to be assembled in Brazil. Brazilian engineers will also be solely responsible for building the nuclear engine of the atomic-powered submarine, although the rest of the vessel will rely on French technology.