ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the impact of change on the hierarchy of Brazilian naval interests, which in turn will allow to distinguish between core naval interests and secondary naval interests. Naval missions will be deduced therefrom. Naval interests can be categorized as core and secondary, but such a hierarchy of naval interests can only be relative during a period of change. The prognosis for US-Brazilian naval relations was accordingly somewhat uncertain because of the complex blend of change and continuity in Brazilian naval interests. An element of ambiguity affecting the entire hierarchy of Brazilian naval interests is related to Brazil's growth. All the modern naval weaponry acquired by Brazil—submarines, frigates, and minesweepers—is more appropriate for maintenance of security within and perhaps even beyond the 200 miles than for routine patrolling, for which less sophisticated equipment can suffice. Naval activities in the Amazon illustrate both security and developmental missions.
