Chilean Navy and ASMAR launch new icebreaker
Almirante Viel vessel in the Talcahuano Naval Base. (Photo: Chilean MoD)
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
-
RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.