navyreco
Senior Member
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."
[...]
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 submarine.
I know it is almost mendatory nowadays if you want to win contracts, but I feel sometimes that France (and others) transfer too much sensitive/sovereign technology without looking "at the big picture". They want to make a "quick buck" without thinking about the long run...