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| Chilean Navy ''Armada de Chile'' |
|
|---|---|
 Coat of arms of the Chilean Navy |
|
| Active | 1817-present |
| Country |  Chile |
| Size | 25,000 |
| Motto | Vencer o Morir ("Victory or Death") |
| Anniversaries | 21 May, Día de las Glorias Navales (Navy Day) |
| Engagements | Chilean War of Independence (1810-1826) Peruvian War of Independence (1811-1824) War of the Confederation (1836-1839) Chincha Islands War (1864-1866) War of the Pacific (1879-1883) Chilean Civil War (1891) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Edmundo González Robles |
| Notable commanders |
Lord Thomas Cochrane Manuel Blanco Encalada Juan José Latorre Arturo Prat Jorge Montt Juan Williams Rebolledo |
| Insignia | |
| Naval Ensign[1] |  |
| Naval Jack |  |
The Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) is the naval force of Chile.
Contents |
History
The origin of the Chilean Navy dates back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared "this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the sea".
This led to the development of Chilean Navy, and the first legal resolutions outlining the organization of the institution were created. Chile's First National Fleet and the Academy for Young Midshipmen (predecessor of the current Naval Academy) were founded, as were the Marine Corps and the Supply Commissary.
The British seaman Lord Thomas Cochrane was hired by O'Higgins to be the first commander of the Navy, who in turn hired an all-anglophone complement of officers and midshipmen, and crews of British, Irish and American seamen. He was a key figure in the war against loyalist forces in Peru. He later took control of the fortresses of Valdivia, but failed in his attempt to conquer Chiloé Island.
The Navy's Hydrographic Office was founded in 1874 with Francisco Vidal Gormaz as first director.
The Chilean war hero and martyr Arturo Prat is regarded as the ultimate example of the commitment of the Navy to its country, after his death while leading a boarding party onto the enemy ironclad Huáscar at the naval battle of Iquique on 21 May 1879, during the War against Peru and Bolivia. The anniversary of this battle is celebrated every year as a public holiday called Día de las Glorias Navales.
During the Chilean Civil War of 1891 a large part of the navy rebelled against the president José Manuel Balmaceda and critically helped depose him.
Present
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, and is heavily aligned with significant naval powers such as the United States Navy and several European navies, most notably 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.
Wars
The Chilean Navy has fought the following wars:
- Chilean War of Independence against Spain commanded by Lord Thomas Cochrane (1810-1826)
- War of the Confederation against the Peru-Bolivian Confederation (1836-1839)
- Chincha Islands War against Spain (allied with Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru) (1864-1866)
- War of the Pacific against Bolivia and Peru. (1879-1883)
- Chilean Civil War (1891)
Order of Battle
See list of active Chilean Navy ships:
- 2 × Thomson class (Type 209/1400) submarines
- Thomson (SS-20), refitted in ASMAR ("Astilleros y Maestranzas de la Armada") (MLU)
- Simpson (SS-21), entering midlife upgrade and refit in 2009
- 2 × Scorpène-class submarines
- O'Higgins (SS-23)
- Carrera (SS-22)
- 2 × L class frigate
- Almirante Latorre (FFG-14), ex-HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerck
- Capitan Prat (FFG-11), ex-HNLMS Witte de With
- 2 × M class frigate
- Almirante Blanco Encalada (FF-15), ex-HNLMS Abraham van der Hulst
- Almirante Riveros (FF-18), ex-HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes
- 1 × Type 22 frigate
- Almirante Williams (FF-19), ex-HMS Sheffield. Under a refit in ASMAR Talcahuano, installation of OTO 76 mm gun, Harpoon anti-ship missile and Barak SAM instead of Sea Wolf for defence.
.jpg)
- 3 × Type 23 frigate
- Almirante Cochrane (FF-05), ex-HMS Norfolk
- Almirante Condell (FF-06), ex-HMS Marlborough
- Almirante Lynch (FF-07), ex-HMS Grafton
- 3 × Sa'ar 4 (Reshef) class missile boat
- 4 × Tiger-class fast attack craft (Type 148)
- 2 + 2 [Proyecto Patrulleros de Zona Marítima OPV]] (PZM) offshore patrol vessels (Fassmer design, built by ASMAR, two operational the others being completed)
- 20 coastal patrol craft (5 Taitao class, 15 Protector class, all built by ASMAR)
- 8 Dabur class inshore patrol craft
- 2 × BATRAL class landing ship tank
- Rancagua (LST-92)
- Chacabuco (LST-95)
- 1 × Newport-class tank landing ship
- Valdivia (LST-93), ex-USS San Bernardino
- 2 × Elicura class landing ship medium
- Elicura (LSM-90)
- Orompello (LSM-94)
- 12 × Support ships
Recently decommissioned ships
- 2 × Leander-class frigates
- Almirante Condell (PFG-06) (sold to Ecuador)
- Almirante Lynch (PFG-07) (sold to Ecuador)
The two Condell-class frigates were stricken from Chilean Navy service, after the arrival of their Type 23 frigate replacements in 2007. Despite their age, and due to their excellent condition and constant modernization, both ships were sold and delivered to the Ecuadorian Navy in 2008.
Aircraft inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[2] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell 206 JetRanger |  United States |
Utility helicopter | Model 206B TH-57 Sea Ranger |
4 2 |
|
| CASA C-212 Aviocar |  Spain |
Tactical transport | C-212A | 3 | |
| Cessna O-2 Skymaster | United States |
Liaison | O-2A | 8 | |
| Embraer EMB-111 |  Brazil |
Maritime patrol aircraft transport |
EMB-111AN EMB-111C |
3 1 |
|
| Eurocopter Bo 105 |  European Union |
Utility helicopter | Bo 105C | 2 | |
| Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar | European Union |
Naval helicopter | AS 532SC | 5 | 1 lost in night-time ASW training accident, 5 remaining |
| Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin | European Union |
SAR helicopter | AS 365 | 8 | 4 former Irish Coast Guard |
| CASA C-295 | Spain |
Maritime patrol aircraft | C-295 Persuader | 3[3] | 3 acquired, with option for 5 more |
| Lockheed P-3 Orion | United States |
Maritime patrol aircraft VIP transport |
P-3ACH | 4 (+ 4 spares) | To be replaced by C-295 in the near future |
| Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer |  Switzerland |
Trainer | 7 | Originally 10 PC-7 in fleet. None lost in accidents |
Marines
The Chilean Marines or (Infanteria de Marina de Chile) is the land/amphibious attack force of the Chilean Navy. The 5,200 man force combines special training and tactics with state of the art equipment.
Equipment Chilean Marines
Vehicles
- Bandvagn 206
- 20 HMMWV
- 29 FV101 Scorpion
Weapons
- Heckler & Koch HK33 assault rifle
- M16 rifle (fitted with 40 mm M203 grenade launcher)
- Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun
- Ultimax 100 squad support light machine gun
- Rheinmetall MG42/58 (MG1) general purpose machine gun
- M60 machine gun
- Barrett M82 high powered sniper rifle
- Milkor MGL grenade launcher
- Mk 19 grenade launcher
- M252 Mortar
- Soltam M-71 155 mm howitzer
- AT4 anti-tank weapon
- Exocet MM-38 and MM-40 anti-ship missiles (Excalibur coastal defence system)
- Boeing Harpoon AGM-84 anti-ship missiles
- Gabriel missile sea-to-sea missile
- Seawolf
- Barak SAM an Israeli missile system
- RIM-66 Standard SAM missiles
- RIM-7 Sea Sparrow SAM missiles
Gallery
 Naval Battle of Iquique. The Esmeralda versus the Huascar |
 Battleship Almirante Latorre. 32.000 Tons |
 CS Simpson (SS-21) entering Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 2004 |
 Capitan Prat on the North Sea |
 Chilean Navy Cougar |
.jpg) Chilean frigate Almirante Blanco Encalada (FF-15) at Pearl Harbor, 2006 |
.gif){kind=small} Type 23 frigates |
.gif){kind=small} Type M frigates |
.gif){kind=small} Type L frigates |
.gif){kind=small} Type 22 frigates |
Grades
Commanders-in-chief
| Picture | Rank | Name | Entered Office |
Exited Office |
Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Colonel | Francisco de la Lastra de la Sotta | 1812 | 1814 | Valparaíso governor |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Rudecindo Alvarado | 1817 | 1817 | Valparaíso governor | |
| Colonel | Francisco de la Lastra de la Sotta | 1817 | 1818 | Valparaíso governor | |
 |
Navy Captain 1st Class | Manuel Blanco Encalada | 1818 | 1821 | Navy General Commander |
 |
Colonel | José Ignacio Zenteno del Pozo | 1821 | 1825 | Navy General Commander |
| General | Francisco de la Lastra de la Sotta | 1825 | 1829 | Navy General Commander | |
 |
Division General | José María de la Cruz Prieto | 1829 | 1831 | Navy General Commander |
| José Matías López Orrego | 1831 | 1833 | Navy General Commander | ||
 |
Colonel of Militia | Diego Portales Palazuelos | 1833 | 1834 | Navy General Commander |
| Colonel | Ramón de la Cavareda Trucios | 1834 | 1837 | Navy General Commander | |
| Colonel | Victorino Garrido | 1837 | 1842 | Navy General Commander | |
| Division General | José María de la Cruz Prieto | 1842 | 1843 | Navy General Commander | |
 |
Commodore | Robert Winthrop Simpson | 1843 | 1844 | Navy General Commander |
| Division General | José Joaquín Prieto Vial | 1844 | 1845 | Navy General Commander | |
| Navy Captain | Robert Winthrop Simpson | 1845 | 1846 | Navy General Commander | |
 |
General | José Santiago Aldunate Toro | 1846 | 1847 | Navy General Commander |
| Vice Admiral | Manuel Blanco Encalada | 1847 | 1852 | Navy General Commander | |
| Rear Admiral | Robert Winthrop Simpson | 1852 | 1853 | Navy General Commander | |
| Julián Riesco Droguett | 1853 | 1856 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Domingo Espiñera Riesco | 1856 | 1858 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Manuel Valenzuela Castillo | 1858 | 1858 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Jovino Novoa Vidal | 1859 | 1859 | Navy General Commander | ||
| General | Juan Vidaurre-Leal Morla | 1859 | 1859 | Navy General Commander | |
 |
Colonel | Cornelio Saavedra Rodríguez | 1860 | 1860 | Navy General Commander |
| General | José Santiago Aldunate Toro | 1861 | 1864 | Navy General Commander | |
| Juan Ramón Lira | 1864 | 1865 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Vicente Villalón | 1865 | 1865 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Juan Ramón Lira | 1865 | 1866 | Navy General Commander | ||
| José María de la Cruz Salvo | 1867 | 1867 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Commodore | José Anacleto Goñi Prieto | 1867 | 1868 | Navy General Commander | |
| Juan Ramón Lira | 1868 | 1868 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Commodore | José Anacleto Goñi Prieto | 1869 | 1870 | Navy General Commander | |
| Francisco Echaurren García-Huidobro | 1870 | 1876 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Eulogio Altamirano Aracena | 1876 | 1879 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Rear Admiral | José Anacleto Goñi Prieto | 1879 | 1880 | Navy General Commander | |
| Eulogio Altamirano Aracena | 1880 | 1880 | Navy General Commander | ||
| Commodore | Oscar Viel Toro | 1881 | 1883 | Navy General Commander | |
| Domingo Toro Herrera | 1884 | 1885 | Navy General Commander | ||
 |
Rear Admiral | Juan José Latorre Benavente | 1886 | 1887 | Navy General Commander |
 |
Rear Admiral | Luis Uribe Orrego | 1887 | 1889 | Navy General Commander |
 |
Rear Admiral | Juan Williams Rebolledo | 1890 | 1891 | Navy General Commander |
| Rear Admiral | Oscar Viel Toro | 1891 | 1891 | Navy General Commander | |
| Rear Admiral | Francisco Javier Molinas Gacitúa | 1892 | 1892 | Navy General Commander | |
| Rear Admiral | Luis Anacleto Castillo Goñi | 1893 | 1897 | Navy General Commander | |
 |
Vice Admiral | Jorge Montt Alvarez | 1897 | 1913 | Navy General Director |
| Vice Admiral | Luis Alberto Goñi Simpson | 1913 | 1916 | Navy General Director | |
 |
Vice Admiral | Lindor Pérez Gacitúa | 1916 | 1916 | Navy General Director |
| Vice Admiral | Joaquín Muñoz Hurtado | 1916 | 1922 | Navy General Director | |
 |
Vice Admiral | Francisco Nef Jara | 1922 | 1924 | Navy General Director |
| Vice Admiral | Salustio Valdés Cortés | 1924 | 1925 | Navy General Director | |
| Vice Admiral | Luis Langlois Vidal | 1925 | 1925 | Navy General Director | |
| Vice Admiral | Juan Schroeder Peña | 1925 | 1927 | Navy General Director | |
| Vice Admiral | Jose Toribio Merino Saavedra | 1927 | 1928 | Navy Inspector General | |
| Rear Admiral | Felipe Wiegand Rodríguez | 1928 | 1929 | Navy Inspector General | |
| Rear Admiral | Alejandro García Castelblanco | 1929 | 1930 | Navy Inspector General | |
| Vice Admiral | Hipólito Marchant Morales | 1930 | 1931 | Navy Inspector General | |
| Rear Admiral | Alejandro García Castelblanco | 1931 | 1931 | Navy Inspector General | |
| Vice Admiral | Hipólito Marchant Morales | 1931 | 1932 | Navy Inspector General | |
| Rear Admiral | Edgardo von Schröeders Sarratea | 1932 | 1932 | Navy Inspector General | |
| Rear Admiral | Carlos Jouanne de la Motte du Portail | 1932 | 1932 | Navy General Director | |
| Rear Admiral | Luis Alvarez Jaramillo | 1932 | 1932 | Navy General Director | |
| Rear Admiral | Calisto Rogers Ceas | 1932 | 1932 | Navy General Director | |
| Vice Admiral | Olegario Reyes del Río | 1932 | 1938 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Vice Admiral | Luis Alvarez Jaramillo | 1938 | 1938 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Vice Admiral | Julio Allard Pinto | 1938 | 1943 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Vice Admiral | Vicente Merino Bielich | 1943 | 1947 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Vice Admiral | Emilio Daroch Soto | 1947 | 1948 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Vice Admiral | Carlos Torres Hevia | 1948 | 1952 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Vice Admiral | Danilo Bassi Galleguillos | 1952 | 1952 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Vice Admiral | Enrique Lagreze Echavarría | 1952 | 1954 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
 |
Vice Admiral | Francisco O'Ryan Orrego | 1954 | 1958 | Navy Commander-in-chief |
| Vice Admiral | Leopoldo Fontaine Nakin | 1958 | 1962 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
 |
Admiral | Hernán Cubillos Leiva | 1962 | 1964 | Navy Commander-in-chief |
| Admiral | Jacobo Neumann Etienne | 1964 | 1966 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Admiral | Ramón Barros González | 1966 | 1968 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
 |
Admiral | Fernando Porta Angulo | 1968 | 1970 | Navy Commander-in-chief |
| Admiral | Hugo Tirado Barros | 1970 | 1970 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Admiral | Raúl Montero Cornejo | 1970 | 1973 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
 |
Admiral | José Toribio Merino Castro | 1973 | 1990 | Navy Commander-in-chief |
| Admiral | Jorge Martínez Busch | 1990 | 1997 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Admiral | Jorge Arancibia Reyes | 1997 | 2001 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
| Admiral | Miguel Ángel Vergara Villalobos | 2001 | 2005 | Navy Commander-in-chief | |
 |
Admiral | Rodolfo Codina Díaz | 2005 | 2009 | Navy Commander-in-chief |
| Admiral | Edmundo González Robles | 2009 | Present | Navy Commander-in-chief |
Historic ships
References
- ^ Chile uses its national flag as an ensign.
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, 15 January 2007.
- ^ The Chilean Navy purchases EADS CASA C-295 aircraft, 18 October 2007
External links
- Armada de Chile website (Spanish)
- Armada de Chile website (English)
- Ranks of the Armada de Chile
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 Ejército de Chile (Army) Armada de Chile (Navy)  Fuerza Aérea de Chile (Air Force) |
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