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Brazil to get nuclear sub technology from France

  • Story Highlights
  • Conventional submarines, helicopters also included in defense deal
  • Brazil will also get night-vision technology to use in Amazon region
  • French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Rio de Janeiro to sign deal
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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) -- The presidents of France and Brazil are set to sign several bilateral agreements, including a defense accord that would make Brazil the first Latin American nation to possess a nuclear-powered submarine.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meet Monday.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meet Monday.

According to Brazil's official news agency Agencia Brasil, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are scheduled to sign a strategic cooperation agreement Monday during the Brazil-European Union summit in Rio de Janeiro. Sarkozy is the president of the European Union Council.

Brazil and Argentina are the only Latin American countries with significant nuclear capabilities.

The agreement would include the transfer of technology that would allow Brazil to assemble 50 EC-725 Cougar helicopters, four conventional submarines and one submarine with nuclear capability as part of Brazil's military modernization process, officials told Agencia Brasil.

Under the accords to be signed by the two presidents, France also would provide Brazil with night vision and remote monitoring technology to be used by the military in the Amazon region, the news agency said.

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