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Brazil is negotiating access to software for its nuclear submarine with France

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World Naval Forces News - Brazil / France
 
 
 
Brazil is negotiating access to software for its nuclear submarine with France
 
Brazil may obtain a transfer of software technology for the nuclear submarine that it is planning to build in partnership with France. This statement comes from the director of Serviço Federal de Dados Processamento (Serpro), Marcos Mazoni. This technology transfer is not covered by the agreements already signed, but according to Mazoni, the discussions are heading in the right direction and Brazil should have access to source code that control equipments. "It is certain that Brazil will obtain the transfer."

Mazoni says the Serpro started the talks last year about the technology transfer of software used in the submarine during the first meetings on technical cooperation with France in the field of supercomputers. From that moment, the Brazilian technicians begun to address the issue of softwares for the submarine. "They say the product is open, we want to see the product and transfer its knowledge," says Mazon.
     
Brazil may obtain a transfer of software technology for the nuclear submarine that it is planning to build in partnership with France. This statement comes from the director of Serviço Federal de Dados Processamento (Serpro), Marcos Mazoni. This technology transfer is not covered by the agreements already signed, but according to Mazoni, the discussions are heading in the right direction and Brazil should have access to source code that control equipments. "It is certain that Brazil will obtain the transfer."
French Navy Rubis class SSN (Saphir)
(picture: Guillaume Rueda)
     
Access to software source codes, says President of Serpro, is fundamental to understand how the submarine works. According to Mazon, the Brazilian military is concerned with the technology transfer of the software and equipment they buy.

The agreement between Brazil and France to build the first nuclear submarine is part of the Brazilian Navy Submarines Development Program (Prosub), for a total of € 6.7 billion. Apart from nuclear equipment, the program includes the construction of four submarines with French technology. The vessels will be built in Brazil under French supervision, and with technology transfer.

Note that Marcos Mazoni is unclear on the type of software: is it the software of the nuclear reactor or those for the combat system ?

Anyhow, France has limited its participation in the non-nuclear part of the submarine.