Segurança do programa nuclear da marinha: possibilidades de emprego de um grupamento operativo de fuzileiros navais em um incidente nuclear, biológico, químico e radiológico em Aramar

Abstract

Brazil has successfully mastered the nuclear fuel cycle, transforming uranium ore into fuel for nuclear reactors. As a result, the Brazilian Navy now has a technology complex in the interior of São Paulo state dedicated not only to the nuclear fuel cycle but also to the construction of a land-based prototype nuclear reactor for naval propulsion. Besides being technically complex, nuclear material operations are highly regulated by both national and international organizations, given the potential damage caused by an accident, act of sabotage, or illicit use of this material. This paper will first address the history of the Brazilian Nuclear Program, then the operating conditions of a nuclear plant, with regard to organic safety, as determined by regulatory agencies, in addition to international safeguards treaties that regulate the use of nuclear material. Further, the paper will present the Brazilian Navy's Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, and Radiological Defense System, a structured plan tasked with responding in the event of a nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological incident. Within this system, it is possible to employ a Marine Corps Operational Group specialized in responding to incidents of this nature. Thus, the study will demonstrate not only the possibility of employing this group but also that exercises involving this group are important not only for validating safety protocols but also for strengthening the safety mindset of the workforce. Thus, this work will present the operating conditions of a nuclear plant from the perspective of organic safety, and how exercises involving a specialized group to respond to nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological situations contribute to increasing readiness and enhancing the safety mindset of the crew.