Jun 24, 2011

Future of the Peruvian Navy

Between Pacific Ocean and the Amazon...

Cartography:

Of the entire Peruvian land aera, 0,4 % were of water (5,220 km², rivers/Lakes).
Coastline: 2,414 km, EEZ of +/- 815,915 km2

Personnal Strenght: +/- 25 000 (Included 1000 Coast-Guards).

1 Cruiser (a ageing white elephant, even a white dinosaur...)
1 Almirante Grau
(Almirante Grau). 9000/12000 tons, 187 meters (Ex Dutch AAW cruiser built by mid/late 1940’s). Transferred by 1973, modernized by 1985/1988, current status dubious but in any case to be retired soon from service without replacement into the Peruvian fleet.

8 Frigates
4 Carvajal
(Carvajal, Villavisencio, Montero, Mariategui). 2800 tons, 113 meters (Italian Lupo 1970’s FFG design). Commissioned by 1979/1987, with probable +/- 30 year of service expected, to be retired during 2010’s decade.

4 Aguirre
(Aguirre, Palacios, Bolognesi, Quinones). 2800 tons, 113 meters (Italian Lupo 1970’s FFG design). Transferred by 2004/2006, likely to remain in service until late 2010's/early 2020's.

6 Submarines
4 Angamos
(Angamos, Antofagasta, Pisagua, Chipana). 1300 tons, 56 meters (German Type 209/1200 SSK design). Commissioned by 1980/1983, modernisation currently under study, maybe to remain in service until late 2010's.

2 Islay
(Islay, Arica). 1200 tons, 54 meters (German Type 209/1100 design). Commissioned by 1974/1975, locally upgraded by 2008/2009, to remain in service until late 2010's.

6 Fast Missile Attack Crafts
6 Velarde
(Velarde, Santillana, De los heros, Herrera, Larrea, Sanchez carrion). 560 tons, 64 meters (French PR-72-500 FAC design). Commissioned by 1980/1981, likely to be retired during 2010’s.

4 Medium Amphibious Ships
4 Terrebonne Parish
(Paita, Pisco, Callao, Eten). 2500/6000 tons, 117+ meters (Ex US County's LST of 1950’s). Transferred by 1984/1985.

Small Amphibious Crafts
Uncertain data ?

Tankers/Replenishments Ships
1 Sealift (Fleet Tanker)
(Lobitos). 33 000 tons, 178+ meters (Ex 1970’s US ship). Transferred by 1995.

1 Talara (Fleet Tanker)
(Talara). 30 000 tons, 171 meters. Commissioned by 1978
.

1 Supe (Coastal Fuel Tanker)
(Supe). 1400 tons, 66+ meters, built by 1965, acquired by 1995.

2 Noguera (Coastal Tanker)
(Noguera, Gauden). 440 tons, 53 meters (Ex 1940’s US Coastal tanker). Transferred by 1975/1981.

Survey Ships
1 Carrasco (Survey Ship)
(Carrasco). 370 tons, 46+ meters (Ex 1950’s Dutch minesweeper). Transferred by 1994.

2 Van Straelen (Inshore Survey Crafts)
(Carrilo, Melo). 150 tons, 33 meters (Ex late 1950’s Ducth inshore minesweepers). Transferred by 1985.

1 Macha (Coastal Survey Craft)
(Macha); 49 tons, 19+ meters. Commissioned by 1989.


2 Ocean Tugs
1 Unanue
(Unanue). 830+ tons, 43+ meters (Ex 1940’s US Ocean Tug). Transferred by 1961.

1 Guardian Rios
(Guardian Rios). 1200+ tons, 62+ meters (Ex 1940’s US Ocean Tug). Transferred by 1960.

Various auxiliary
1 Humboldt (oceanographic research ship)
(Humboldt). 1200+ tons, 76+ meters. Commissioned by 1980.

1 Ilo (cargo ship)
(Mollendo). 18 000+ tons, 153 meters. Commissioned by 1971.

1 AEH 173
AEH 173. 12 tons, 10 meters, built by 1981.

2 ABP 342
(ABP 342-343). 210 tons, 60 meters, built by 1974.

1 ABP 344
(ABP 344). 150 tons, 42 meters, built by ?

1 ABP 345
270 tons, 48 meters, built by 1974.

1 ABP 346
320 tons, 45 meters.


Few self-propelled supply lighter, Floatting dry dock & others harbors stuffs...

Riverine Flotilla's
1 floating riverine base
(ABF 401), 45 meters, US built.

2 Loreto (Rivers Gunboats)
(Loreto, Amazonas). 250 tons, 46+ meters. Commissioned by 1934 !!!

2 Maranon
(Rivers Gunboats)
(Maranon, Ucayali). 350 tons, 47 meters. Commissioned by 1951.

2 Clavero
(Rivers Gunboats)
(Clavero, Putumayo). Newer River gunboat. Status of Clavero uncertain (heavily damaged by a fire in 2010 ?).


1 Stiglich (Rivers Survey Crafts)
(Stiglich). 230 tons, 31 meters. Commissioned by 1981


4 Rio Comaina (Rivers lighters)
(Rio Comaina, Rio Huazaga, Rio Chinganaza, Rio Cenepa). 165+ tons, 30 meters. Commissioned by 1975/1976.


1 Morona (Hospital Rivers Crafts)
(Morona). 150 tons, 30 meters, built by 1976

1 Puno (Hospital Lake Crafts)
(Puno). 500 tons, 38 meters, built by 1879 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!, status uncertain...

Peruvian Coast Guards

+/- 30 Inshore Patrol Vessels
2 Cougar 42

(Rio Supe, Rio Vitor). 2+ tons, 12+ meters, built by 1992/1993.

3 Cougar 25
(Mancora, Huara, Quilca). 1+ tons, 6+ meters, built by 1992/1993.

1 Pucusana
(Pucusana). 3+ tons, 9+ meters.

8 Cougar 22
(La Cruz, Cabo Blanco, Colan, Samanco, Besique, Salinas, Ancon, Paracas). 1+ tons, 6+ meters, built by 1992/1993.

3 La Punta
(Rio Punta, Rio Viru, Rio Lurin). 43 tons, 18+ meters, built by 1981/1982.

4 Rio Santiago River
(Rio Huallaga, Rio Santiago, Rio Putumayo, Rio Nanay). 4+ tons, 10 meters, built by ?

4 Rio Napo
(Rio Napo, Rio Yavari, Rio Matador, Rio Pachitea). 1,8 tons, 6+ meters, built by ?

4 Rio Itaya
(Rio Itaya, Rio Patayacu, Rio Zapote, Rio Chambira). 1 tons, 5+ meters, built by ?

1 Rio Tambopata
Rio Tambopata. 1+ tons, 8+ meters.

Maybe few others IPV's ?, uncertain data ?

Naval Aviation (+/- 800)
Aicrafts
- 4 Beechcraft Super Air King B200T.
- 1 Fokker F27 (used by Coast Guard).
- 2 Fokker 60 5 T-34C Turbo Mentor (acquired by 1978).
- 2 Fokker 60 (acquired by 2010).
- 2 An-32B Cline (acquired by 1994).
- 1 DHC-6 (used by Coast Guard).

Helicopters
- 6 Enstorm F-28 (acquired by 2008).
- 3 Bell 206 Jet Ranger II (acquired by 1982, maybe 2 others unserviceable ?).
- 5 Bell 212 (acquired by 1976, maybe only 3 serviceable ?).
- 3 SH-3D Sea King (acquired by 1978/1984).
- 2 SH-3/UH-3 ? (acquired by 2010/2011).
- 2 Mi-8 Hip (acquired by 1992, 2 others unserviceable).

Peruvian Marines +/- 4000 troops
Armored Transport Vehicles: 20 BMR-600, 15 V-200 Chaimite, few V-100 Commando.
Artillery (towed): some D-30 (122mm).
Mortars: some 81mm, 18 120mm.
Recoiless Guns: some 84mm Carl-Gustav, some 106mm M-40A1.
AA Guns: some twin 20mm mounts.
Manpads: Unkown ?

The Peruvian Navy will face by the end of these decade a big problem of obscolescence. Much of its ships are ageing (and often second-hand ships). The purchase of new vessels (Frigates, Submarines, FAC, Auxiliary Ships...) will therefore soon be urgent.
If the Chilean & Colombian Navies remain +/- a significant threat, others "softs" threats can paradoxically be as important for the Peruvian fleet (Smugglers, Pollution, ect ..).

Next fleet review/editorial: Future of the Colombian 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 !

13 comments:

  1. You disapoint me Mike! The Almirante Grau is surely not an ex-swedish cruiser, but the former DUTCH HNLMS De Ruyter (C801)! See the wikipedia article for more detailed information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAP_Almirante_Grau_%28CLM-81%29)

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  2. Ops, sorry for the mistake
    Review corrected :/

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  3. No problem ;) I didn't ment it all to serious. It was not built as an AAW cruiser by the way, just as a light cruiser to serve in the Dutch East Indies. But due to the second world war both ships were not completed until the 1950's. It was not until the 1970's when both ships were refitted with the Tartar SAM.

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    1. Dear Mark,
      What you are writing is also incorrect. Both cruisers H.M.S. De Ruyter (ex Eendracht) and De Zeven Provincien (ex De Ruijter) were indeed designed as light cruisers before WW II. After that war they were both completed to a totaly new design. Only De Zeven Provincien was rebuild to a guided weapons cruiser. But she was not equipped with Tartar SAM as you stated, but with the long range Terrier SAM. The De Ruijter was delivered to Peru in her original configuration and there after converted during a great overhaul. The De Zeven Provincien was converted to a helicopter carrying cruiser before her transfer to Peru.

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    2. Dear sirs,
      The light Cruiser BAP ALMIRANTE GRAU has been continously modernised and the attemps to retire it from service has been rejected due to the extreme difficult of found such a vessel so heavily armed (eight 6" automatic computer operated guns an eight OTOMAT MK-II SS missiles with a combat range over 80 Miles), and heavily armoured (this allows the ship's hull to deflect and resist direct EXOCET impacts) , very long range, a huge MAGE (which allow the GRAU to detect electro magnetic emmissions more than 500kms away) and, furthermore, the engines still works fine (but the fuel consume is very high).
      I understand that is very difficult to believe that such an old ship could still been a valid option but peruvian navy found out that this ship, with good antiaircraft and antisubmarine coverage can be a good platform combat in modern warfare.

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  4. Does look like they have huge problems coming about 2020, virtually the entire navy becomes overage at the same time.

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  5. The ex- Swedish cruiser Mike most certainly was thinking of is the Chilean Almirante Latorre, or Göta Lejon as she was called in Swedish service. She was commissioned in 1947, sold in 1971 to the Chilean navy, and towed to Taiwan and scrapped in 1985. Here's how she looked in camouflage in 1964 in Sw service: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HMS_G%C3%B6ta_Lejon_cruiser.jpg?uselang=sv

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  6. @ Chuck & PN: Yes

    @ Mark:
    Hmmm, Mark the 2 last Ducth cruisers were designed by 1938/1939 with "single purpose" 150mm gun, but after the war both cruiser were completed with 152mm DP (dual-purpose Bofor 6" guns) mounts (= AAW cruiser)

    ;)

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  7. IIRC the twin 152 mm turrets on Göta Lejon was initially ordered for a Dutch cruiser. This was later cancelled however, and the completed turrets were instead used on the two Swedish Tre Kronor class cruisers. The triple turret fw might have been specifically ordered for the Sw ships though, I'm not quite sure. Like Mike said, all these 6" Bofors turrets has AA capability.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bofors_152_mm_gun

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  8. The navy would only follow army and airforce in becoming obsolete. Their entire military forces are a patchwork of Western and Eastern types, so far the Navy has been a fairly coherent force in comparison (Italian surface combatants, German subs).

    In comparison to Chile Peru cannot possibly hope to match their capabilities. This is underlined by the respective airborne assets, which would play a critical role in any engagement.

    Colombia is a different matter, their military forces have an almost entirely COIN-focused make-up.

    As far as the long-term is concerned, the Peruvian Navy is pretty likely to become a primarily offshore patrol fleet, with a limited submarine capability. Not so far away from where they are now already.

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  9. Hi Para
    I +/- generally agree with this analysis...

    As for the future replacement of 8 Peruvian Lupo's FFG, I think the Italians will try to sell their FREMM

    Because the Italian Navy will not be able to afford the 10 FREMM originally planned. It is very likely that Italy will try to sell the "last built batch" of 4 FREMM, likely around 2015-2020.

    As usual, Wait & See

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  10. I think, the FREMMs in any meaningful number (3+) might be beyond their budgetary capabilities. The other branches are in urgent need of modernisation as well and will swallow a certain part of any budget. As you say, wait and see...

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  11. I think we may see some more Spanish built OPVs, like the ones the Venezuelans are buying going to Peru.

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