Future of the Chilean Navy

Well effective but a logistical nightmare

Cartography:
Of the entire Chilean land aera, 1,6% were of waters (lakes/rivers).
Coastline: 6,435 km (3,999 mi), with a EEZ of 3 681 989km2 (islands included)

Personnal Strenght: +/- 19 000
+/- 17 000 sailors (+ 1500 conscript)

+/- 8 Frigates
3 Type 23 (ASW Frigates)
(Almirante-Cochrane, Almirante-Condell, Almirante-Lynch), 4800 tons, 133 meters, Ex-British frigates of Type 23 built by early 1990’s. Highly effective ASW platform during 1990’s, currently effective but progressively ageing ships. Transferred by 2006/2007, with probably +/- 30 year of service, to be retired by early 2030’s.

2 Type L (AAW Kortenaer)
(Capitan-Prat, Almirante-Latorre), 3700 tons, 130 meters Ex-Dutch frigates built by 1986. Transferred by 2005. Now ageing unit (using the obsolete SM-1 missile), with probable +/- 30 year of service, to be retired during 2020’s.

2 Type M (Multi-purpose)
(Almirante Blanco-Encalada, Almirante Riveros), 2800+ tons, 122 meters Ex-Dutch frigates, built by 1991/1993. Highly automatised design for their time (1990’s). Currently effective but progressively ageing ships. With probable +/- 30 year of service, to be retired by late 2020’s

1 Type 22 Batch II (ASW)
(Almirante Williams), 4800+ tons, 146 meters, Ex-British frigate built by 1988, transferred by 2003. Now ageing unit (crew expensive). With probably +/- 30 year of service, to be retired by early 2020’s.

4 Submarines
2 Scorpene
(O’Higgins, Carrera), 61 meters, 1500+ tons, newer SSK Hispano-French SSK design, commissioned by 2005/2006, with probable 30 year of service, to be retired around 2035

2 Type 209
(Thompson, Simpson), 64 meters, 1800 tons, german SSK design of 1970’s. Commissioned by 1984, with probable +/- 30 year of service, to be retired by late 2010’s.

+/- 7 Fast Attack Crafts
3 Sa’ar 4
(Casma, Chipana, Angamos), 415+ tons, 58 meters, Ex-Israeli Sa-ar 4 FAC crafts built by 1973/1974 , transferred by 1979/1997.

4 Type 148
(Guardiamarina Riquelme, Teniente Orella, Teniente Serrano, Teniente Uribe). 265 tons, 47 meters, Ex-German FAC design (Type 148). Built by 1972/1975, transferred by 1997/1998.

The fact that these 7 FAC (Sa’ar 4/Type 148) are ageing crafts (1970’s built) shows that the Chilean Navy will replace these units by late 2010’s with « up to 6 » newer (and larger) crafts. The question is whether the units will be newer built or second-hands crafts ? Wait & See

Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels
6 Micalvi
(Contramestre Micalvi, Contramestre Ortiz, Aspirante Isaza, Aspirante Morel, Corneta Cabrales, Piloto Sibbald). 480 tons, 42+ meters. Commissioned by 1993/1996.

2 Replenishment Ships
1 Amirante Montt
(Almirante Montt), 206 meters, 31 000+ tons (Ex-US Henry.J.Kaiser AO ship built by mid 1980’s). Transferred by 2010, to remain in service until late 2020’s/early 2030’s.

1 Araucano
(Araucano), Swedish built by 1984. Acquired by late 2010.

Large/Medium Amphibious Ships
Up to 2 LPD planned
- 1 st LPD now urgently needed (because the older "Valvidia" LST (ex-US ship) were recently retired). Buying the French LPD "Foudre" by 2012 was a serious option. At the same time, Italy has hinted that one of its "San-Giorgo" small LPD will be available for transfert by 2014. Singapore is offering one of its "Endurance" LPD.
Wait & See !

- 2nd LPD expected by 2014+ and maybe "newly-built" ship ?

2 Batral
- (Rancagua, Chacabuco). 1300 tons, 79+ meters (LST of French Batral design). Commissioned by 1983/1986. To remain in service until mid 2020's.

2 Elicura
(Elicura, Orompello). 300/700 tons, 49+ meters LSM design. Built by 1963/1964, likely to be retired through 2010's.

Small Amphibious Ships
Great question ?

2 Training Ships
1 Esmeralda (sailing ship)
(Esmeralda), 3400 tons, 109 meters, built by 1954

1 Huascar
Huascar, 1180 tons, 58 meters, built by 1865 ! (ex-monitor), so ageing ships that this vessel was a fantactic and beautiful afloat museum ship !!!!!!!!!!!

5 Various Auxiliary Ships
1 Contre Almirante Oscar Viel Toro (Icebreaker)
(Contre Almirante Oscar Viel Toro). 6300 tons, 90 meters. Built by 1969, acquired by 1995.

1 Ingeniero George Slight Marshall (Buoy tender/Salvage ship)
(Ingeniero George Slight Marshall). 1200 tons, 53 meters. Built by 1978, acquired by 1996.

1 Vidal Gormaz (Research ship)
(Vidal Gormaz), 1200 tons, 63 meters, built by 1965, acquired by 1992.

1 Aquiles (Transport ships)
(Aquiles), 2700/4500 tons, 103 meters, built by 1988

1 Almirante José Toribio Merino Castro (Submarine Tender)
(Almirante José Toribio Merino Castro). 2600 tons, 92 meters. (Ex-Swedish ship built by 1971, transferred by 1997.

3 Ocean Tugs/Supply Vessels (anchor-handling tug/supply vessels)
2 Galvarino
(Galvarino, Lautaro). 940/2300 tons, 58+ meters. Built by 1973/1974, transferred by 1998/1990.

1 Smit-Lloyd 40
(Leucoton). 1700 tons, 53 meters, built by 1972, acquired by 1991

2 Personnel Transports
2 Meteoro
(Meteoro, Grumette Perez Huemel), 165 tons, 24+ meters, built by 1968/1975

1 Harbor Tugs
1 Galvez
(Galvez), 210+ tons, 25+ meters, built by 1975

Various Yards Crafts Few Floating Cranes and Floating Docks

CHILEAN COAST GUARDS
Up to 4 OPV
Up to 4 Piloto
(Piloto Pardo, Comandante Policarpo Toro, others currently not yet named). 1700+ tons, 80 meters. Indeginously Chilean built (helped by erman design help). Very Highly effective/cheap OPV design. Commissioned since 2008+

+/- 20 Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels
16 Danubio 1
(LSG 1609-1624), 125 tons, 33 meters, commissioned by 1999/2004.

2 Protector
(Alacalufe, Hallef), 100+ tons, 32 meters, built by 1989.

2 Guacolda
(Guacolda, Fresia), 134 tons, 36 meters, built by 1965.

40+ In-Shore Patrol Vessels
10 Dabur
(LPC 1814-1823), 29 tons, 20 meters, Israeli built by 1973/1974, transferred by 1991/1995.

15 Rodman 800
(PM 2031-2045), 9 tons, 9 meters, built by 1996.

10 Maule search & rescue
(LPM 1901-1910), 14 tons, 13 meters, built 1982/1983.

6 Ex US 44 foot rescue launches
(LSR 1703-1708), 15 tons, 13+ meters, built 1961/1973.

A handful of others small crafts (Tokerau, ect…).

Chilean Marines +/- 3500 troops (maybe expected to rise up to 5000 ?)
Light Tanks: 12 Scorpion.
Armored Transport Vehicles: 25 Mowag Roland. (Purchase of 8x8 Stryker considered).
Heavy Artillery (155mm): 28 G-5.
Medium Artillery (105mm): 16 KH-178.
Mortars (81mm): 50 mounts.
Recoiless Rifles: 30 M-40A1 (106mm).

Naval Aviation (+/- 600)
Aicrafts:
- 4 P-3A Orion (ASW, to be replaced by CN-295 in the near future).
- 3 Casa 212A Aviocar (Transport).
- 8 Cessna O-2A Skymaster (Transport).
- 6 EMB-110/111 Bandeirante (4 active).
- 10 PC-7 Turbo Trainer (Training, 7 active).

Helicopters
- 5 AS-532 Cougar (anti-ships).
- 3 Bell 206 AS (ASW).

- 3 HH-65 Dauphin (SAR, others to be delivered).

- 2 Bell 412 (SAR).
- 5 BO-105 C/S (SAR)2 active).
- 4 Bell 206 JetRanger (Utility, + 2 TH-57 Sea Ranger).

The Chilean Navy is the 2nd most powerful navy in South America, but the purchase of many “second-hands” warships from various countries create a logistical nightmare. The advent of an emerging national naval industry (Asmar…) should change this situation, but not before 1 or 2 decades. Because like other navies (Brazil, South Korea, Turkey, Spain), the Chilean navy wants to build its future warships in this own country.

Next fleet review/editorial: Future of the Turkish Navy.

As usual, It may be that in my opinion, I forgot programs ? (or made few mistakes ?, especially for the auxiliary and smaller ships), then SAID IT ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion !