Brazil and France strengthen submarine alliance: half a billion more for a nuclear submarine

Two contracts with Naval Group — 526 million euros

Brazil and France are once again strengthening their strategic alliance in the underwater sphere. In June 2025, two new contracts were signed with the French company Naval Group for a total amount of more than 526 million euros. These agreements are the next step in the implementation of the ambitious PROSUB program aimed at creating its own modern submarine fleet, including Latin America's first nuclear submarine.

Cooperation goes beyond simple supplies — it's about technology transfer and joint construction.

What is being built in the LABGENE laboratory

The first contract, No. 21/2025, in the amount of 246.3 million euros, concerns the construction of a key facility as part of the development of Brazil's nuclear infrastructure. The work will be carried out at the Laboratory of Nuclear Energy (LABGENE), a center where the technology of a nuclear power plant for a future submarine is being developed.

Naval Group will design, supply and assemble an electromechanical auxiliary building Unit (PAC) that will ensure the operation of the entire system. The contract is designed for 72 months, which is a long—term bet on reliability and accuracy.

SNCA and its Secrets — Nuclear Submarine Consultations

The second agreement, No. 20/2025, for 282.1 million euros, provides specialized technical advice on conventional nuclear submarine systems (SNCA). This is not just advice, but a deep transfer of knowledge on nuclear plant integration, reactor management, safety and autonomy.

French experts will work with Brazilian engineers to help them master technologies that have so far been available to only a handful of countries.

PROSUB is not just a program, but a technological leap

The PROSUB program was launched in 2008 and remains one of the main strategic initiatives of the Brazilian Navy. Four diesel-electric submarines of the Skorpen class and one nuclear submarine, an analog of the Skorpen, but with a nuclear power plant, are being built within its framework.

These are not just new ships. This is Brazil's attempt to join the elite club of countries capable of designing and building complex underwater systems. The nuclear—powered submarine will give the country the opportunity to patrol the vast waters of the Atlantic, including the Amazon Shield zone, which is rich in resources but vulnerable to external interference.

Sources

1. SSB Crack — Brazil signs €526 M contracts with Naval Group for nuclear-sub programme
2. Naval News — PROSUB step forward: two new Naval Group deals
3. The Defense News — €528 M injection accelerates Brazilian nuclear-boat drive
4. Click Petróleo & Gás — direct award unlocks SN-BR Alvaro Alberto (GLS) build
5. Naval News PROSUB archive — ongoing coverage of the programme

The French submarine construction giant was hacked — hackers leaked the code of combat systems!

 The French shipbuilding corporation Naval Group, one of the key players in the development of nuclear submarines for the French Navy and other countries, was at the center of a large-scale cyberattack. The company is currently conducting an investigation after hackers claimed to have gained access to classified data, including the source code of weapons systems of submarines.

The attack was carried out by a group called Cyber Partisans, which is not the first time it has been published with high-profile leaks. This time, they claim to have extracted hundreds of gigabytes of confidential information, from technical drawings to software controlling weapons aboard submarines. According to them, among the leaked data there are even fragments of the code responsible for aiming torpedoes and fire control systems.

Naval Group is not just a private company. It builds strategic nuclear submarines with nuclear weapons (SSBN) and multi-purpose submarines (SSN), which are the cornerstone of the naval component of France's nuclear deterrence. Accordingly, the leakage of such data is not just a blow to reputation, but a potential threat to national security.

The company itself has not yet confirmed or denied the scale of the leak, but said it had detected "suspicious activity" in its IT infrastructure and was already working with government services, including France's National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), to assess the damage and eliminate the consequences.

What is the danger of such a leak? Even if hackers have not gained access to the warheads themselves, knowledge of the software architecture allows potential adversaries to find vulnerabilities, simulate attacks, or even create simulation systems to train counteraction. It is especially alarming that some of the Naval Group's projects are international, such as the Australian submarine program, which has already experienced a high—profile scandal in the past.

This incident once again raises the question: how secure are the defense contractors whose technologies underpin national defense? And if hackers were able to get in here, who's next?

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford is heading to the Eastern Mediterranean to strengthen the US position in the Middle East

The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the most modern and expensive ship of the US Navy, is scheduled to be deployed in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, near Israel. This step is due to the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran and is aimed at strengthening the US military presence in the region, CNN reported, citing Pentagon officials.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is a 333—meter-long giant equipped with two nuclear reactors, capable of reaching speeds of up to 56 km/h and carrying up to 90 aircraft and helicopters, including fifth-generation F-35 fighters. Its strike group is accompanied by destroyers and cruisers, which provides powerful force projection and protection against air, sea and underwater threats.

The deployment of an aircraft carrier near Israel is a demonstration of the United States' determination to support its allies and respond promptly to possible crisis situations related to the escalation of tension around Iran. This is the third US aircraft carrier sent to the region, which indicates a significant increase in military capabilities in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Sweden is exploring the possibility of purchasing French frigates to strengthen its presence in the Baltic Sea

In the context of growing military activity in the Baltic region and worsening geopolitical tensions, Sweden is considering the possibility of acquiring French defensive frigates to modernize and strengthen its fleet. This decision is related to the country's intention to increase the level of defense capability against the background of threats from Russia and to ensure stability within the framework of NATO and bilateral partnerships.

According to Swedish sources, modern frigates of the FREMM family (Front Line frigate for Multi-Mission), developed by the French shipyard Naval Group, are of interest. These ships are highly multifunctional and can be used in both anti-submarine, surface and air defense, which makes them ideally suited for the conditions of the Baltic Sea.

Sweden, despite its recent accession to NATO, continues to develop its own naval forces, striving for greater independence in ensuring regional security. The inclusion of French frigates in the Swedish fleet could be an important step in this direction, especially given the limited capabilities of the current fleet of ships.

The potential deal also opens up prospects for deepening military-technical cooperation between Paris and Stockholm, as well as strengthening European strategic sovereignty. The acquisition of frigates from France, as opposed to the purchase of American systems, is also in line with Sweden's policy of diversifying arms suppliers and reducing dependence on the United States.

A final decision on a possible purchase has not yet been made, but preliminary negotiations and a technical assessment of the ships have already begun. If the deal goes through, the new frigates will become a key element of the renewed Swedish Navy and will significantly change the balance of power in the Baltic Sea.

Naval Group and Royal IHC have signed a contract for the construction of Orka-class submarines for the Dutch Navy

The French shipbuilding company Naval Group has officially announced the conclusion of a strategic contract with the Dutch company Royal IHC to support the construction of new Orka-class submarines for the Dutch Navy. This agreement was an important milestone in the implementation of the modernization program of the country's submarine fleet, aimed at replacing obsolete Walrus-class submarines.

 Features of the contract and cooperation

- Technological transfer: The Naval Group will ensure the transfer of advanced technologies and know-how to Royal IHC, which will create modern submarines tailored to the requirements of the Dutch Navy.

- Localization of production: A significant part of the work will be carried out in the Netherlands, which will support the national industry and create new jobs.

- Innovative solutions: The Orka class will be equipped with modern navigation, stealth and weapons systems, which will increase the fleet's combat capability and its compliance with NATO standards.

The contract with Naval Group and Royal IHC strengthens the defense potential of the Netherlands and contributes to the development of national shipbuilding. The new Orka-class submarines will allow the country's Navy to effectively carry out tasks of protecting maritime borders, participating in international operations and ensuring security in the North Sea and beyond.

It is expected that the first Orka-class submarines will be handed over to the fleet in the coming years, and the cooperation between the Naval Group and Royal IHC will be an example of successful integration of European defense technologies and industrial partnership.

France is preparing to launch the PA-NG aircraft carrier program: a new stage in naval power

 

French shipbuilding company Naval Group has announced that the country plans to place an order for a promising aircraft carrier **PA-NG (Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération)** by the end of 2025. This project will be the largest warship ever built in Europe and is intended to replace the existing nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which has been in service since 2001. Delivery of the new ship is expected by 2038, which will strengthen France's position as one of the leaders in the field of maritime defense.   

The new generation aircraft carrier will be equipped with a nuclear power plant, providing high autonomy and power. Its displacement is estimated at 75,000 tons, which will surpass that of Charles de Gaulle (42,000 tons). The aircraft will be able to accommodate modern Rafale fighter jets, as well as promising unmanned aerial vehicles. The ship will receive an integrated combat control system and improved air and missile defense systems.  

The current flagship of the French navy, Charles de Gaulle, is undergoing modernization, but its operational life is limited. PA-NG will ensure the continuity of France's aircraft carrier capability, enhancing strategic independence and the ability to project power. The new ship will become the basis for operations in the open ocean and support the country's global interests.    

The PA-NG is being developed jointly with British and American partners, especially in terms of creating electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) and aircraft launch systems. This will allow France to introduce advanced technologies similar to those used on American Ford-class aircraft carriers.  

The creation of PA-NG underscores France's ambitions to strengthen defense independence in the face of growing geopolitical instability. The ship will also strengthen the country's role in coalition operations and demonstrate the technical potential of the European shipbuilding industry.  

Thales will provide Dutch submarines with advanced sonar systems

Thales, a long-time partner of the Naval Group and the Royal Netherlands Navy, will provide a comprehensive set of high-performance sonar systems for future Orka-class submarines. These systems will replace existing Walrus-class vessels and provide the Netherlands with operational superiority in the underwater environment.

The Orka-class submarines will form the backbone of the Dutch submarine fleet and will be equipped with the most advanced sonar systems from Thales. These systems will allow submarines to obtain a comprehensive picture of the underwater acoustic environment, which will significantly increase their combat capability and effectiveness in performing various tasks.

Integrated sonar systems from Thales will provide Orka-class submarines with the ability to detect and track underwater targets with high accuracy. This will allow the Netherlands to guarantee operational superiority in the underwater environment, which is especially important in the face of modern challenges and threats.

Thales is a long-standing partner of the Naval Group, which allows both companies to effectively cooperate in the development and implementation of advanced technologies for submarines. This partnership ensures the high quality and reliability of the supplied systems, which is a key factor for the successful fulfillment of tasks by the Dutch submarine fleet.

The Walrus-class submarines in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy will be replaced by new Orka-class vessels. This update will allow the Netherlands to significantly enhance its capabilities in the field of underwater warfare and provide a higher level of security.

The provision of a comprehensive set of high-performance sonar systems from Thales for Orka-class submarines is an important step in strengthening the defense capability of the Netherlands. These systems will provide submarines with operational superiority and enhance their combat capability, which is especially important in the face of modern challenges and threats. The partnership with the Naval Group and the Royal Netherlands Navy allows Thales to continue to implement advanced technologies and ensure the high quality and reliability of the supplied systems.