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.
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