The Brazilian Navy is planing to build its first nuclear-powered submarine with French cooperation by the year 2021.

The submersible warship will be equipped with conventional weapons and powered with nuclear technology through a transfer of technology agreement signed with France.

Brazilian Defence Minister Nelson Jobim said that it was essential that the Brazilian Navy has a high dissuasion capacity to effectively patrol 8,000km of coastline.

The agreement signed with France also includes the construction of four other conventional submarines worth around $9bn, the minister said.

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