Chilean Navy

The Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) is the naval force of Chile.

The 25,000-person navy, including 5,200 Marines, is directed by Admiral Edmundo Gonzalez. Of the fleet of sixty-six surface vessels (soon to be increased to seventy-four), twenty-one are major combatant ships based in Valparaíso. The navy operates its own aircraft for transport and patrol; there are no fighter or bomber aircraft. The Navy also operates four submarines and a tender ship to support them, all based in Talcahuano. The Navy permits the integration of Chile's Pacific and Southern island regions, thus integrating its disjointed geography. The transport of passengers, especially during the school year or in cases of emergency, together with the supply of provisions and fuel, are of key importance to the inhabitants of these insular zones.

The Chilean Navy is generally considered to be among the most capable and professional in the Americas, considered by specialists[who?] the third most capable navy in the Americas, behind Brazilian and American navies, and is heavily aligned with significant naval powers such as the British Royal Navy.

The institution regularly carries out civil operations whereby Navy professionals provide social assistance and health care to the civilian population, and provide support in cases of natural catastrophe.

It also undertakes preventative education campaigns for Chile's population on issues that include security on beaches and seaside resorts and measures to be taken in the case of a tsunami.

The most important naval bases and supply depots are (from north to south) in the Pacific Ocean: Iquique, Easter Island, Valparaíso, Talcahuano, Puerto Montt, in the Atlantic zone: Strait of Magellan: Punta Arenas, in the Beagle Channel: Puerto Williams, and in Antarctica: Captain Arturo Prat Base. These are now spread into 5 Naval Zones: the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Naval Zones.

List of Vessels

 * Foudre-class Landing Platform Dock (1) -
 * CS Sargento Aldea (LSDH-91)
 * Type 22 General Purpose Frigate (1) - 2003
 * CS Almirante Williams (FF-19) - former HMS Sheffield
 * Karel Doorman-class General Purpose Frigate (4) - 2004
 * CS Blanco Encalada (FF-15)
 * CS José Toribio Merino (FF-16)
 * CS Luis Gómez Carreño (FF-17)
 * CS Almirante Riveros (FF-18)
 * Jacob van Heemskerck-class Air Defense Frigate (4) - 2005
 * CS Capitán Prat (FFG-11)
 * CS Ismael Huerta (FFG-12)
 * CS Patricio Carvajal (FFG-13)
 * CS Almirante Latorre (FFG-14)
 * Type 23 ASW Frigate (3) - 2008
 * CS Almirante Cochrane (FF-05)
 * CS Almirante Condell (FF-06)
 * CS Almirante Lynch (FF-07)
 * Type 209 Submarine (2) - 1984
 * CS Thompson (SS-20)
 * CS Simpson (SS-21)
 * Scorpène-class Attack Submarine (2) - 2005
 * CS O'Higgins (SS-28)
 * CS Carrera (SS-29)
 * Almirante Merino-class Submarine Tender (1) -
 * CS Almirante Merino (BMS-42)
 * Henry J. Kaiser-class Fleet Replenishment Oiler (1) - 2010
 * CS Almirante Montt (AO-52)
 * Araucano-class Fleet Oiler (1) -
 * CS Araucano (AO-53)
 * Dabur-class Patrol Boat (10) - 1978
 * CS Díaz (LPC-1814)
 * CS Bolados (LPC-1815)
 * CS Salinas (LPC-1816)
 * CS Téllez (LPC-1817)
 * CS Bravo (LPC-1818)
 * CS Unnamed (LPC-1819)
 * CS Machado (LPC-1820)
 * CS Unnamed (LPC-1821)
 * CS Troncoso (LPC-1822)
 * CS Hudson (LPD-1823)
 * Patrulleros de Zona Marítima PZM (3) - 2008
 * CS Piloto Pardo (OPV-81)
 * CS Comandante Policarpo Toro (OPV-82)
 * CS Comandante Marinero Fuentealba (OPV-83)

Future Acquisitions

 * Helicopters and armored amphibians for TCD.
 * The construction of another 3 PZM Patrulleros de Zona Marítima PZM, for each naval zone.
 * Light maritime patrol aircraft to replace Cessna O-2 Skymaster. The Partenavia AP.68TP and Tecnam P2006T are being considered.