Almirante Latorre (FFG-14), formerly HMAS Melbourne. (Photo: Chilean Navy)
Chilean naval planners and government policy-makers recently reiterated calls to build up a domestic shipbuilding capability, although the South American country still lacks the industrial depth to undertake major programmes independently.
Adm Julio Leiva Molina, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, stated the case in a recent webinar called ‘Construcción Naval Continua’ (Naval Construction Continues), asking: ‘Should we continue to buy [second-hand warships] or should we take a giant leap?’
Since the early 2000s, ASMAR has built four OPV80-class offshore patrol vessels and the oceanographic vessel Cabo de Hornos for the Chilean Navy.
An icebreaker is also under construction as the
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Forming part of the Reconciliation Bill, the funding will support multiple efforts involving autonomous capabilities, interceptors, missiles, rockets and torpedoes.
The delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
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