Ecuador turns to local shipyard and international suppliers for military platforms
Shipbuilding has been slow in Ecuador despite the country’s objective to combat criminal activities along the coast. (Photo: Astinave)
As Ecuador attempts to combat so-called “terrorist networks”, the country has turned to the US and Turkey for equipment, while domestic construction and acquisition of new naval platforms has remained a slow process.
Ecuadorian state-run shipyard Astinave has declared a multipurpose vessel under construction for the Ecuadorian Navy to be 65% complete. A shipyard spokesperson explained to Shephard that the vessel, the future BAE Ruminahui, would be “ready by end of this year before undergoing sea trials”. The ship will be delivered to the Navy by the end of 2025.
The multipurpose vessel, the first of its class that the shipyard has built, has a length of 75m and capacity for a 12-ton helicopter. It will be equipped with Astinave’s Orion command and control system and will have a crew of 66.
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200]()
Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200
On 24 June 2026, the German Ministry of Defence announced it was cancelling the F126 frigate programme in favour of procuring eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates.
-
![UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition]()
UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
-
![US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies]()
US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies
The US Navy is increasing the use of OTA obligations to accelerate the procurement of seabed-subsea, littoral, expeditionary and uncrewed solutions.
