"We have to make it clear that defense is part of the national agenda," he told the Brazilian Congress's foreign relations and defense committee on Wednesday, according to a statement from his ministry.

Jobim stressed that the Brazilian navy was looking to acquire 50 new ships in the future, which, along with the nuclear-powered submarine, would be used to protect the oil installations off his country's southeast coast.

He suggested that royalties paid by the state-run oil company Petrobras could be used more to finance the expansion of the fleet, and argued that the climbing price of Petrobras shares reflected Brazil's capacity to protect its oil reserves.

Jobim also noted that Brazil's claim before the United Nations to extend its territorial waters from 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) to 350 nautical miles would put more demands on the navy, if approved.

Brazil was negotiating that issue in the face of reluctance from the UN.

The South American nation has recently announced a series of huge oil finds off-shore which, if they are proved viable, could propel the country into the same league as OPEC states.

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