Políticas públicas para operação efetiva do submarino convencionalmente armado com propulsão nuclear

Abstract

Brazil is an emerging country searching for a relevant role in the global order. Since the beginning of the Nuclear Era in 1945, Brazil has claimed the right to pursue national technological development as a mechanism for reaffirming its sovereignty. The development of domestic capabilities for uranium enrichment toward nuclear fuel technological independence represents one of the most remarkable national achievements. The Brazilian Navy's Nuclear Program (PNM) and the Submarine Development Program (PROSUB) are two current public policies at the interface of which lies the Conventionally Armed Submarine with Nuclear Propulsion Program (SCPN). The expected outcome of this program is the commissioning and the commencement of effective operation of Brazil's first nuclear submarine. The construction of this submarine involves geopolitical issues, domestic policy, technological challenges, budgetary considerations, among others. At the Federal Government level, it is directly intertwined with the Defense, Energy (Nuclear), and Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) sectors. Given the complexity of the SCPN Program, the objective of this work is to propose public policies to enable the effective operation of the SCPN. Initially, a historical overview of the Brazilian Nuclear Program (PNB), of which the PNM is an integral part, was presented. Methodological research was subsequently developed, encompassing ontological-epistemological elements, theoretical perspectives, available methodologies, and methods, ultimately leading to the selection of the case study method through a qualitative methodology with data collection triangulation. This approach involved the use of R language for document analysis and semi-structured interviews guided by a thematic outline. The preliminary result of the case study was encapsulated in the inductive hypothesis, 'Brazil still needs to formulate and implement certain Public Policies necessary to ensure the effective operation of the SCPN.' The evidence obtained in this preliminary stage of the case study was subsequently analyzed using the Public Policy Research Method by Majchrzak & Markus. Through the analysis of the evidence, the following fundamental public policy proposition was concluded: for the effective operation of the SCPN, it is necessary to reposition the SCPN Program truly as a State Program, adequately supported by a set of seven fully implemented Public Policies: 1) SCPN Communication Program; 2) Dissemination Actions for Strategic Themes; 3) Establishment of a Special Procurement Regime for the SCPN Program; 4) Creation of the SCPN Program Strategic Fund; 5) ANSN Implementation Action, with the correction of the creation law text, linking it directly to the Presidency of the Republic; 6) National Policy for the Nationalization of Sensitive and Strategic Items – PNNISE; 7) Special Safeguard Regime for Nuclear Propulsion Equipment – RESEPN.