Chilean Navy and ASMAR launch new icebreaker
Almirante Viel vessel in the Talcahuano Naval Base. (Photo: Chilean MoD)
Designed by the Canadian company VARD Marine and built by the national shipyard Asmar, the Almirante Viel vessel will cover a paramount role by supporting Chile’s bases in Antarctic.
The Chilean Navy is progressing with its plans to operate a new icebreaker in 2024. During a ceremony in the Talcahuano Naval Base (Concepción region) on 22 December, the service launched the Almirante Viel vessel.
Designed by the Canadian company VARD Marine and built by the national shipyard ASMAR, the icebreaker will cover a paramount role by supporting Chile’s bases in Antarctic.
Capable of operating at -30°C, the ship can break up to 1 m thick layer of ice and will be equipped with microbiological, macrobiological and chemical laboratories.
Related Articles
FAMAE sets sights on 122mm MLRS
South American shipyards maintain their tempo
Chile to develop flight instruction system
With a length of 111 m, a beam of 21 m, a draught of 7.2 meters and a displacement of 10,500 tonnes, Almirante Viel has been built under the Antártica-I programme.
A press release issued by the Chilean MoD stated that the vessel is ‘the most complex project’ conducted to date by ASMAR.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the new vessel will replace the icebreaker also named Almirante Viel, which was decommissioned in 2019.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Antártica-I Icebreaker [Chile]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties]()
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.
-
![Poland’s naval modernisation plans point to $13 billion market]()
Poland’s naval modernisation plans point to $13 billion market
Poland is reshaping its naval capabilities through investments in surface and undersea fleets, with further procurement opportunities expected into the 2030s.
-
![Autonomy gives Turkey a chance to outflank established naval shipbuilders]()
Autonomy gives Turkey a chance to outflank established naval shipbuilders
Turkish shipbuilders have sold ships from Asia to Europe, but autonomy and swarm technology could give them a fairer fight against Western European rivals.
-
![France’s naval modernisation drives opportunities for European defence industry]()
France’s naval modernisation drives opportunities for European defence industry
Ahead of Euronaval 2026, major submarine, frigate and aircraft carrier programmes are driving investment, while future corvette replacements and growing interest in uncrewed vessels offer further opportunities for industry into the 2030s and beyond.
