Chilean Navy Jack
The 'Chilean Navy' (Armada de Chile) is the naval force of
Chile.
=Present=
The 25,000-person navy, including 5,200 marines, is directed by
Admiral Rodolfo Codina. Of the fleet of 66 surface vessels, only six (soon to be increased to eight) are major combatant ships and they are based in
ValparaÃso. The navy operates its own aircraft for transport and patrol; there are no fighter or bomber aircraft. The Navy also operates three (soon to be four) submarines based in Talcahuano.
The Chilean Navy’s most important asset is the 22,000 men and women that develop, maintain and operate the naval and maritime resources and land-based support installations.
The men and women who comprise the Chilean Navy all share a set of clearly recognizable traits, that is, their commitment to serving their country, their values, their devotion to tradition and family principles, as well as a high level of professionalism.
Apart from being responsible for defending the nation’s sovereignty and its territory, the Chilean Navy is also involved in serving the public and supporting the country’s citizens by means of assignments that have a direct effect upon Chile’s development.
The Naval ships permit the integration of Chile’s Pacific and Southern island regions, thus integrating its disjointed geography and acting as a binding agent for Chile’s tri-continental features. The transport of passengers, especially during the school year or in cases of emergency, together with the supply of provisions and fuel, are of key importance to the inhabitants of these insular zones.
The Institution regularly carries out civil operations whereby Navy professionals provide social assistance and health care to the civilian population, and provide support in cases of natural catastrophe.
It also undertakes preventative education campaigns for Chile’s population on issues that include security on beaches and seaside resorts and measures to be taken in the case of a tsunami.
The most important naval bases and supply depots are (from north to south):
Iquique,
Easter Island,
ValparaÃso,
Talcahuano,
Puerto Montt,
Punta Arenas, and
Puerto Williams, and
Base General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme in Antarctica, both in the
Atlantic Ocean.
''Capitan Prat'' on the North Sea
Chilean Navy Cougar
Order of Battle
★ 2
Type 209 submarines
★
★ ''Thomson''
★
★ ''Simpson''
★ 2
Scorpène class submarines
★
★ ''O'Higgins''
★
★ ''Carrera''
★ 2
L class frigate
★
★ ''Almirante Latorre'' (ex- HNLMS ''Jacob van Heemskerck'')
★
★ ''Capitan Prat'' (ex- HNLMS ''Witte de With'')
★ 2
M class frigate
★
★ ''Blanco Encalada'' (ex- HNLMS ''Abraham van der Hulst'')
★
★ ''Almirante Riveros'' (ex- HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes)
★ 1
Type 22 frigate
★
★ ''Almirante Williams'' (ex- HMS ''Sheffield'')
★ 2
Type 23 frigate
★
★ ''Almirante Cochrane'' (ex- HMS ''Norfolk'')
★
★ ''Almirante Lynch'' (ex- HMS Grafton)
★ 7 Missile equipped fast patrol craft
★ 5 OPV
★ 5 Coastal patrol craft
★ 10 dabur type inshore patrol craft
★ 3 Amphibious landing ships
★ 12 support ships
Future projects
A major modernisation programme is in progress
★ 1 ex- Royal Navy
Type 23 frigate.
★
★ ''Almirante Condell'' (ex-
HMS ''Marlborough'')
★
★
★ Due to be delivered in 2008.
The remaining two ''Leander'' class frigates will be striken after the arrival of their replacements. In spite of their age, due to their excellent condition and constant modernization, both ''Leander''s may be put up for sale.
Aircraft Inventory
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service[1]
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Bell 206
|
| utility helicopter
| Model 206B
TH-57 Sea Ranger
| 4
2
|
|
|-----
| CASA C-212 Aviocar
|
| tactical transport
| C-212A
| 3
|
|-----
| Cessna O-2 Skymaster
|
| liaison
| O-2A
| 8
|
|-----
| Embraer EMB-111
|
| maritime patrol
transport
| EMB-111AN
EMB-111C
| 3
1
|
|-----
| Eurocopter Bo 105
|
| utility helicopter
| Bo 105C
| 2
|
|-----
| Eurocopter Cougar
|
| naval helicopter
| AS 532SC
| 5
|
|-----
| Eurocopter Dauphin
|
| naval helicopter
| AS 365
| 4
|
|-----
| Fokker 60
|
| maritime patrol
|
| -
| 3 on order (?)
|-----
| Lockheed P-3 Orion
|
| maritime patrol
VIP transport
| P-3ACH
| 3
|
|-----
| Pilatus PC-7
|
| trainer
|
| 7
|
|}
=Marines=
The 'Chilean Marines' or '(Infanteria de Marina de Chile)' is the land/amphibious attack force of the Chilean Navy. The 5,200 manned force contains special training and tactics with state of the art equipment.
Equipment
Vehicles
★
Hägglunds BV 206
★
HMMWV
Weapons
★
Heckler & Koch HK33 (Main assault rifle)
★
M16 rifle
★
M4 Carbine (equipped with
M203 grenade launcher)
★
Ultimax 100
★
Rheinmetall MG1 and some M-60s
★
M82 Barrett rifle High Powered Sniper rifle
★
Heckler & Koch MP5
★
Milkor MGL grenade launcher
★
Mk 19 grenade launcher
★
Brandt 81mm mortar
★
Soltam M-71 artillery gun
★
Excalibur coastal defence system (Exocet MM-38 and MM-40)
★
Blowpipe AA defence system
=History=
The beginnings of the Chilean Navy date back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General
Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared “this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the seaâ€.
This led to the development of Chile’s Naval Power, and the first legal resolutions outlining the organization of the institution were created. Chile’s First National Fleet, the Academy for Young Midshipmen (predecessor of the current Naval Academy), were founded, as were the Marine Corps and the Supply Commissary.
Thomas Cochrane was the first commander of the Chilean navy, and operated in the war against loyalist Peru. Later he took control of the
fortresses of Valdivia, but failed in his attempt to conquer
Chiloe Island.
The Chilean Navy’s lifelong allegiance to its country has been shaped throughout the years by notable men who, when necessary, have been ready to sacrifice their lives.
Naval Battle of Iquique. The ''Esmeralda'' versus The ''Huascar''.
The most outstanding example of this commitment is that of Commander
Arturo Prat, whose name went down in history for the exceptional heroism he demonstrated at the
Naval Action at Iquique, on
21 May 1879, during the War against Peru and Bolivia (
War of the Pacific).
Prat, while in charge of the fragile corvette ''
Esmeralda'', fought to the end with the imposing Peruvian ironclad ''Huascar'', despite the inferiority of his own forces. Rather than surrender to the enemy, he valiantly gave his life alongside his crew.
Prat’s act of bravery is commemorated every year on 21 May, the only national holiday in Chile to recall a military feat. On that day, the country pays tribute to the courage shown by Prat and his men, whose deeds led to victory in this war.
Nevertheless, throughout Chile’s naval history, other outstanding individuals and great deeds have contributed to making the Institution what it is today.
The Chilean Navy has tended to be a highly professional force which has regularly purchased modern warships from Britain.
Wars
The Chilean Navy has fought the following wars:
★ Chilean War of Independence against Spain commanded by
Lord Thomas Cochrane. See (
Chilean Independence)
★ War against the
Peru-Bolivian Confederation (1836-1839). See (
War of the Confederation)
★ War against Spain (allied with Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru) (1865-1866). See (
Chincha Islands War)
★ War of the Pacific (1879-1884). See (
War of the Pacific)
★ Chilean Civil War (1891). See (
Chilean Civil War)
Commanders-in-chief
Historical units
★
Flach (submarine)
★
Covadonga (ship)
★
Huáscar (ship)
★
Almirante Latorre (battleship)
Additional information
References
1. "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, ''Aviation Week & Space Technology'', January 15 2007.
External links
★
Armada de Chile website
★
Armada de Chile website
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