Brazil’s ongoing efforts to develop a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) constitute a critical milestone in the evolution of its defense policy, technological development, and geostrategic posture. As the first Latin American nation to pursue such a capability, Brazil’s Programa de Desenvolvimento de Submarinos (PROSUB) transcends conventional military modernization. It represents a sophisticated projection of power, autonomy, and regional leadership at a time of shifting global orders and renewed maritime competition, particularly in the context of the so-called post-Western world.

The Global Nuclear Submarine Landscape

As of mid-2025, only six states possess operational nuclear-powered submarines: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and India. These platforms confer significant strategic advantages by enabling extended underwater endurance, rapid maneuverability, and sustained deployment without the need for refueling. Although often associated with nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), nuclear propulsion technology is not inherently linked to nuclear weapons systems. Brazil’s initiative, it must be emphasized, is focused on propulsion rather than armament, and the vessels under development are not intended to carry nuclear warheads.

Brazil’s entry into this exclusive circle, through the construction of the Álvaro Alberto submarine, positions it as the seventh nation to develop such a platform. This elevation in strategic capability is matched by the ambition to assume a more consequential role in regional and global security governance.

Technological Sovereignty and Domestic Development

The development of the Álvaro Alberto—named after Admiral Álvaro Alberto da Mota e Silva, a central figure in Brazil’s nuclear history—builds upon decades of national investment in nuclear research and submarine construction. PROSUB, launched in 2008 as part of a strategic partnership with France, entails the domestic construction of four Scorpène-class conventional submarines and one nuclear-powered unit. While France has provided technological assistance, Brazil has insisted on retaining full control over the nuclear propulsion component, underscoring its commitment to technological sovereignty.

The centerpiece of the project is the construction of a naval shipyard and a submarine development complex in Itaguaí (Rio de Janeiro), which functions as both an industrial hub and a node for high-skilled employment and innovation. The nuclear reactor for propulsion has been developed by Brazil’s Marinha do Brasil in cooperation with the country’s nuclear energy authorities.

Strategic Rationale: The “Blue Amazon” and Maritime Sovereignty

Brazil’s Navy presents the nuclear submarine project as essential to securing the country’s extensive maritime territory—referred to as the Amazônia Azul or “Blue Amazon.” This strategic concept encompasses approximately 4.5 million square kilometers of Brazil’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), rich in hydrocarbon reserves, fisheries, and undersea biodiversity. The capacity to operate nuclear submarines is perceived as a prerequisite for deterring encroachments on these resources, combating transnational criminal activities, and asserting jurisdiction over critical infrastructure such as offshore oil platforms.

Moreover, the project must be interpreted within the framework of Brazil’s commitment to the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS), established in 1986. While ZOPACAS promotes the denuclearization and demilitarization of the South Atlantic, Brazil maintains that nuclear propulsion for conventional military purposes does not violate the spirit or letter of these agreements. Rather, the submarine is presented as a necessary deterrent and a vehicle for regional stability, rooted in principles of non-aggression and strategic balance.

Geopolitical Ambitions and Multilateral Aspirations

At the global level, the nuclear submarine program aligns with Brazil’s long-standing ambition to be recognized as a middle or emerging power with a global voice. From its advocacy for United Nations Security Council reform to its participation in BRICS and its leadership in South–South cooperation initiatives, Brazil has consistently sought to elevate its status in international affairs. Technological mastery of nuclear propulsion enhances its claims to strategic autonomy, scientific excellence, and defense self-sufficiency—criteria often invoked in assessments of global power status.

Critics have raised concerns regarding the opportunity costs of the program, especially in light of Brazil’s enduring socioeconomic inequalities and fiscal constraints. However, supporters contend that the submarine program functions as a driver of industrial development and scientific capacity, with potential spillover benefits for civilian applications in energy, engineering, and education.

Brazil’s Emerging Strategic Identity

The development of a nuclear-powered submarine is not merely a military procurement decision but a fundamental rearticulation of Brazil’s strategic identity. It signals a move toward autonomous deterrence, a credible defense posture in the South Atlantic, and deeper integration into global defense-technological elites. As the Álvaro Alberto approaches completion, Brazil is poised to redefine the parameters of Latin American security policy and to project its influence well beyond its shores.