Macron, Lula hail defense ties at submarine launch

ITAGUAI, Mar 28:  President Emmanuel Macron and counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday celebrated the launch of Brazils third French-designed submarine, which will help secure the countrys immense coastline, dubbed the "Blue Amazon."

The two men highlighted the importance of their countries defense partnership during a time of major global unrest, at a ceremony at Brazils ultra-modern naval base in Itaguai near Rio de Janeiro.

It is here that Brazil built the Tonelero, the third of four planned conventional diesel attack submarines, with training, equipment, and technical assistance from France.
Under cloudy skies, the submarine was christened by First Lady Rosangela da Silva, nicknamed "Janja."    —AFP