O programa do submarino nuclear convencionalmente armado no contexto das políticas públicas para problemas complexos

National sovereignty constitutes an issue on the periphery of the Brazilian civil society agenda. The understanding of the strategic relevance of Brazil possessing its first Conventionally Armed Nuclear Submarine (SNCA) requires an analysis of the complexity involved in implementing this public policy, which derives from two government programs: the Submarine Development Program (PROSUB) and the Navy Nuclear Program (PNM). With this focus, the present study aimed to discuss public policies, public goods, complex public problems, and public policy cycles to connect them with the SNCA Project/Program and, in doing so, demonstrate the importance of Brazil effectively building and operating its first Conventionally Armed Nuclear Submarine. The object of this research is based on the future SNCA, with a focus on public policies. The authors begin by questioning whether the SNCA Program would qualify as a complex public policy capable of addressing the complex public problem related to the construction of a public good that simultaneously affects the country’s Defense, Energy, and Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) sectors. The methodology employed is based on qualitative research through a new literature review on public policies, which proposes a definition of public policies to delimit the study’s scope. Finally, the study concludes that the SNCA is a necessary public good for the country, facing significant challenges related to complex public policies for its implementation.