MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil, Venezuela interested in Scorpone submarines

The head of a French defence contractor Thales said the group expects Brazil, Venezuela and Singapore to become the next buyers of the Scorpene class conventional submarine jointly manufactured by France and Spain.

Following the sale of several Scorpone class submarines to Chile, Malaysia and India, "we expect it to become a success with Brazil, Venezuela and Singapore, among others" said Jean-Paul Perrier, Thales CEO in an interview published Tuesday in the French newspaper "La Tribune".

Thales, which specializes in defence electronics, is conducting the project in association with DCN, which builds Scorpene submarines together with Spain's Navaltia, previously known as Izar.

Last Friday the Chilean Navy received the first Scorpene submarine to come off the assembly line which was named "O'Higgins", and a second is scheduled for delivery next year. Besides, Malaysia has bought two and on Monday India announced interest for six fully equipped units.

Chilean Defence Minister Jaime Ravinet said in Paris Friday that if Brazil and Venezuela decide to buy the Scorpene class submarines, Chile might set up a technical support base offering maintenance services.

DCN chairman Jean-Marie Poimboeuf said Chile's use of the submarines might serve as a showcase for the rest of Latin America, where several countries are in line to renew their submarine service.