RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- A French naval defense systems company chose Brazilian builder Odebrecht to help construct four submarines for the South American nation.
Brazil is hoping to build on the technology of those vessels to eventually construct Latin America's first nuclear-propelled submarine.
France's DCNS says on its Web site Wednesday it will partner with Rio de Janeiro-based construction company Norberto Odebrecht SA on the deal, reportedly worth about $9 billion.
The move is part of a larger arms deal signed by the presidents of Brazil and France last month.
Calls to DCNS, Odebrecht and Brazil's navy were not returned.
DCNS says on its Web site it will also help build a naval base and shipyard in Brazil.