Temer, Bolsonaro attend submarine launch
President Michel Temer and President-Elect Jair Bolsonaro attended on Friday morning (Dec. 14) the sea launch ceremony of submarine Riachuelo at the Itaguaí ship complex, in Rio de Janeiro state. Riachuelo is the first in the Submarine Development Program, an initiative conducted in cooperation with France.
First Lady Marcela Temer, Riachuelo’s godmother, baptized the submarine by hitting a bottle against its hull and prayed that the submarine and the sailors navigating it are blessed.
“We’re giving new proof of the excellence of our naval industry. We’re showing that we can overcome any challenge together. A nation with the vocation of being peaceful, Brazil builds its submarines not to threaten whoever it may be, not to disturb the peacefulness of international water; Brazil builds its submarines because a country with a coastline over 7 thousand kilometers long must not go without the tools for the defense of its sovereignty and sea richness,” said Temer, who unveiled the plaque.
Addressing Bolsonaro, Temer said he is “thoroughly confident” that the president-elect and his team will lead “an extraordinary government.” “Not just for what they revealed in their addressed, but for the history of Bolsonaro and those making up his team.”
The launch elevator, equipped with 34 winches, was jointly activated by President Michel Temer, the Navy Commandant Admiral Leal Ferreira, and President-Elect Jair Bolsonaro. The descent took half an hour.
Bolsonaro did not speak. The commandant noted that the project included the exchange of knowledge with France and training for Brazilian professionals and companies.
The last stage of Riachuelo’s assembly started on February 20. Seventy-two meters long and weighing 1,700 tons, the submarine has the capacity to hold 35 crew members and reaches 20 knots, or 37 km/h. Its weaponry consists of torpedoes, mines, and missiles, with an autonomy of 70 days. The submarine will be tested for two years before being incorporated by the Navy.
