Brazil–Germany Nuclear Agreement

On June 27, 1975, Brazil and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) signed the "Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy". It was the most ambitious nuclear project in Brazilian history, foreseeing not only the construction of power plants but also the unprecedented transfer of the entire complete nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium enrichment and reprocessing.

Brazil faced deep energy vulnerability after the 1973 Oil Shock, which sharply raised the cost of its main energy source. Politically, the Geisel government adopted "Responsible Pragmatism", seeking external autonomy and aiming to turn Brazil into a world power.

Scientifically, the country suffered a blow in 1974, when the U.S. suspended new contracts for enriched uranium supply, exposing Brazil's technological dependency. There was also geopolitical concern about Argentina, which had commissioned its first plant (Atucha I) in 1974.

1. June 1974
   Brazil begins diplomatic soundings with countries such as France and Germany to look for technological partners.
2. September 1974
   Secret negotiations start in Brasília with German representatives.
3. December 1974
   The Brazilian government creates Nuclebrás to manage the new state-owned nuclear industry.
4. June 27, 1975
   The agreement is formally signed in Bonn, covering the purchase of at least eight reactors and the enrichment and reprocessing plants.
5. February 1976
   Brazil, Germany and the IAEA sign the safeguards agreement to ensure peaceful use of the technology.

The Brazil–Germany agreement led to the construction of Angra 2 and Angra 3 and the founding of Nuclep. However, difficulties in receiving sensitive technologies and international pressure drove the military to launch, in 1979, the "Parallel Program" — a secret, autonomous project to secure uranium enrichment without foreign restrictions.