Brazil increases military budget for naval nuclear program

Brazil has significantly increased its military spending on the Navy's Nuclear Program (PNM), allocating approximately 1.4 billion reais for 2025. This funding represents a 4.5-fold increase compared to the previous year, making it the primary recipient of Brazilian military investment and surpassing the F-39 Gripen fighter jet program.

The budget is directed toward several strategic areas, including the development of the nuclear fuel cycle, propulsion plants, and activities at the Nucleoelectric Energy Generation Laboratory (LABGENE) located at the Aramar Nuclear Industrial Center in São Paulo. Approximately 953 million reais of the total have been allocated to contracted companies for specialized engineering services.

A central component of this initiative is the LABGENE, which serves as a terrestrial prototype for the nuclear plant intended to power the future Álvaro Alberto nuclear-powered submarine. This facility allows the Navy to test and validate reactors and associated systems on land before they are integrated into the vessel.