The Brazilian Navy Nuclear Program

applicability, viability and relevance

Resumo

One of the cleanest energy sources on the planet, nuclear
energy is recognized for its great potential as a dual-use
technology (with both civil and military application). The
complexity of nuclear development also results in an intense
spin-off process, generating benefits in the social, scientific,
and industrial fields and contributing to projects in different
sectors. The objective of this paper is to present the Brazilian
Navy’s Nuclear Program, its history and its main aspects.
Moreover, it aims to outline the relevance of the program
to the Brazilian nuclear sector and to the national defense
industrial base. For this purpose, the text is mostly based
on official data and literature review, focusing especially
on nuclear development since the 1940s. Its results allow
us to conclude, in particular, that the development of this
technology would also enable Brazil to remain in the group
of countries with high nuclear capacity as well as, in the
future, to become an exporter of nuclear fuel. Finally, it is
important to understand it as a long-term state program and
to ensure its maintenance and continuity, given its current
advanced stage and its effects on Brazil’s development.