The French based shipyard DCSN will construct four conventional-propulsion submarines for the Brazilian Navy under a program worth 6.790 billion euros. The agreement followed a framework contract, part of the strategic defense cooperation agreement signed last year between France and Brazil. The submarines will be built by Itaguaí Construções Navais, a joint venture set up by DCNS and Brazilian partner Odebrecht. DCNS will act as design authority and prime contractor. These conventional-propulsion submarines will be designed for all types of missions from anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare to special operations and intelligence gathering. The first one is scheduled to enter active service in 2017.
As part of the cooperation between the two countries Itaguaí Construções Navais will also be responsible for the design and construction of the first Brazilian nuclear powered submarine, for which the Brazilian Navy will be the design authority. The design of the nuclear submarine will be based on the French Scorpene model, adapted to Brazilian needs. DCNS will provide design assistance for the non-nuclear portion of this submarine.
