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 the fourth most capable navy in the Americas, behind the Canadian, 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

 * BATRAL-class Tank landing Ship (4) - 1982
 * BAC Elicura (LSM-90)
 * BAC Maipo (LSM-91)
 * BAC Rancagua (LST-92)
 * BAC Chacabuco (LST-95)
 * Foudre-class Landing Platform Dock (1) - 2012
 * BAC Sargento Aldea (LSDH-91) - former MN Foudre (L9011)
 * Type 22 General Purpose Frigate (1) - 2003
 * BAC Almirante Williams (FF-19) - former HMS Bruiser (F96)
 * Karel Doorman-class General Purpose Frigate (2) - 2004
 * BAC Blanco Encalada (FF-15)
 * BAC Almirante Riveros (FF-18)
 * Jacob van Heemskerck-class Air Defense Frigate (2) - 2005
 * BAC Capitán Prat (FFG-11)
 * BAC Almirante Latorre (FFG-14)
 * Type 23 ASW Frigate (3) - 2008
 * BAC Almirante Cochrane (FF-05)
 * BAC Almirante Condell (FF-06)
 * BAC Almirante Lynch (FF-07)
 * Type 209/1400L Submarine (2) - 1984
 * BAC Thompson (SS-20)
 * BAC Simpson (SS-21)
 * Scorpène-class Attack Submarine (2) - 2005
 * BAC O'Higgins (SS-22)
 * BAC Carrera (SS-23)
 * Aquiles-class Transport Ship (1) - 1988
 * BAC Aquiles (AP-41)
 * Galvarino-class Transport (2) - 1988
 * BAC Galvarino (ATF-66)
 * BAC Lautaro (ATF-67)
 * Norman McLeod Rodgers-class Icebreaker (1) - 1995
 * BAC Contraalmirante Oscar Viel Toro (AP-46) - former CCGS Norman McLeod Rogers
 * Ingeniero Slight-class Auxiliary (1) - 1997
 * BAC Ingeniero Slight (BRS-63) - former HNLMS Vigilant
 * Henry J. Kaiser-class Fleet Oiler (1) - 2001
 * BAC Almirante Montt (AO-52)
 * Araucano-class Replenishment Vessel (1) - 2010
 * BAC Araucano (AO-53)
 * Cabo de Hornos-class Research Vessel (1) - 2015
 * BAC Cabo de Hornos (AGS-61)
 * Sa’ar 4-class Missile Boat (4) - 1978
 * BAC Casma (LM-30)
 * BAC Chipana (LM-31)
 * BAC Angamos (LM-34)
 * BAC Papudo (LM-35)
 * Tiger-class Fast Attack Craft (4) - 1998
 * BAC Guardiamarina Riquelme (LM-36) - former BMS Wolf
 * BAC Teniente Orella (LM-37) - former BMS Elster
 * BAC Teniente Serrano (LM-38) - former BMS Kranich
 * BAC Teniente Uribe (LM-39) - former BMS Tiger
 * Protector-class Patrol Boat (18) - 1989
 * BAC Alacalufe (LSG-1603)
 * BAC Hallef (LSG-1604)
 * BAC Aysén (LSG-1609)
 * BAC Corral (LSG-1610)
 * BAC Concepción (LSG-1611)
 * BAC Caldera (LSG-1612)
 * BAC San Antonio (LSG-1613)
 * BAC Antofagasta (LSG-1614)
 * BAC Arica (LSG-1615)
 * BAC Coquimbo (LSG-1616)
 * BAC Puerto Natales (LSG-1617)
 * BAC Valparaíso (LSG-1618)
 * BAC Punta Arenas (LSG-1619)
 * BAC Talcahuano (LSG-1620)
 * BAC Quintero (LSG-1621)
 * BAC Chiloé (LSG-1622)
 * BAC Puerto Montt (LSG-1623)
 * BAC Iquique (LSG-1624)
 * Taitao-class Patrol Vessel (4) - 1992
 * BAC Contramaestre Micalvi (PSG-71)
 * BAC Contramaestre Ortiz (PSG-72)
 * BAC Aspirante Isaza (PSG-73)
 * BAC Aspirante Morel (PSG-74)
 * BAC Piloto Sibbald (PSG-78)
 * OPV-80 Fassmer (4) - 2008
 * BAC Piloto Pardo (PZM-81)
 * BAC Comandante Toro (PZM-82)
 * BAC Marinero Fuentealba (PZM-83)
 * BAC Cabo Odger (PZM-84)

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.
 * Modernization of the Jacob Van Heemskerck-class frigates.