Mexican Navy

Mexican Navy (Armada de México)
Mexican Navy Emblem
Active	January 19 1821
Country	United Mexican States
Branch	Naval Infantry Naval Aviation Search and Rescue Unit
Role	Coastal Defense Maritime Search & Rescue Anti - narcotic Ops
Size	56,000 personnel
Anniversaries	November 23.[1]
Engagements	Mexican Revolution, Mexican-American War, World War II, Mexican Drug War.
Commanders
Current commander	Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza

The Mexican Navy (Armada de México or SEMAR) is a branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order".^[2] The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women, over 189 ships, and about 130 aircraft.^[3][4] The Navy maintains a constant modernization program in order to upgrade its response capability, although its programs are hindered by a lack of funding due to variable budgets and lack of continuity.

Given Mexico's large area of water (49,510 km²) and extensive coastline (9,330 km), the navy's duties are of great importance. Perhaps its most important on-going missions are the war on drugs and protecting PEMEX's oil wells in Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico. Another important task of the Mexican Navy is to help people in hurricane relief operations and other natural disasters.

History of the Armada

Mexican Navy Naval Jack

Navío Asia (Congreso Mexicano) January 1825.

Gunboat Libertad

Cuauhtemoc

The Mexican Navy has its origins in the creation of the Ministry of War in 1821. From that year until 1939 it existed jointly with the Army in the organic ministry. Since its declaration of independence from Spain in September 1810, through the mid decades of the 19th century, Mexico found itself in a constant state of war, mostly against Spain which had not recognized its independence. Therefore its priority was to purchase its first fleet from the U.S.A. in order to displace the last remaining Spanish forces from its coasts.^[5]

The Mexican Navy has participated in many naval battles to protect and defend Mexico's interests. Some of the most important battles were:

Attempts by Spain to reconquer Mexico

• Takeover of the San Juan de Ulua fort (1821-1825)
• The invasion of Cabo Rojo (1829)
• Battle of Mariel

The first French intervention in Mexico (The 'Pastry War') (November 1838 - March 1839)

• An entire Armada was captured at Veracruz

Yucatán Independence (1841—1848)

• Naval Battle of Campeche

The Mexican–American War (1846–48)

The Second French Intervention (1862-1867)

The Mexican Revolution (1910-1919)

• Battle of Topolobampo

Second invasion by the United States (April 9, 1914-November 23, 1914)

• United States occupation of Veracruz

Historical Ships

Structure

Organization

The President of Mexico is commander in chief of all military forces. Day-to-day control of the Navy lies with the Navy Secretary, currently Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza. The Navy has one General Garrison and two naval forces (small fleets) that are divided into 7 regions, 13 zones, and 14 sectors

The Navy is divided into three main forces:

• Fuerza Naval del Golfo ( Gulf of Mexico Naval Force )
• Fuerza Naval del Pacifico ( Pacific Naval Force )
• Fuerza Aeronaval (Naval Aviation)

Officers are trained at the Mexican Naval Academy, called the "Heroica Escuela Naval Militar" ("Heroic Military Naval School"), located in Antón Lizardo, Veracruz.

Training and Education

A Mexican marine fast ropes onto the flight deck of the German Combat Support Ship Frankfurt Am Main (A1412) during a simulated multi-national maritime interdiction operation

The Navy offers several options for graduate studies in their educational institutions:

Heroica Escuela Naval Militar

It is the school where future officers are trained for the General Corps of the Navy. Candidates can enter upon completing high school. Upon completion of studies, graduates obtain the degree of Corbeta Lieutenant and the title of Naval Science Engineer.

Naval Medical School

This school Located in Mexico City, offers a career in medicine. Officers are trained with skills for the prevention and health care of naval personnel. By adopting a professional examination, graduates can obtain the degree of Naval Military Lieutenant Corvette.

Naval Engineering School

In the Naval Engineering School, officers are responsible for the preventive and corrective maintenance of systems and electronic equipment installed on ships and installations of the Mexican Navy. This school offers career of Electronic Engineering and Naval Communications. It is located between the town of Mata Grape and Anton Lizardo, 32 km from the port of Veracruz.

Naval Nursing School

Here the time to achieve a nursing degree lasts eight semesters. Officers are trained with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable them to assist medical personnel in caring for patients in hospitals, sanatoriums, clinics, health sections on land, aboard ships and at The Naval Medical Center.

Naval Aviation School

A BO-105 helicopter of the Mexican Navy

The Naval Aviation School trains pilots for the Mexican Navy as well as staff from the Federal Preventive Police and Naval personnel from various countries of Central America. This school is located on Veracruz.^[6]

Search, Rescue and Diving School

Located in Acapulco, members of The Navy are trained for marine search, rescue and diving. It also trains state police officers and firefighters.

Mexican Naval Infantry

The Mexican Naval Infantry Corps of 8,000 consists of a paratroop brigade of three battalions, a battalion attached to the Presidential Guard Brigade, three battalions with headquarters in Mexico City, Acapulco, and Veracruz, and 35 independent companies and detachments distributed among ports, bases, and zonal headquarters, and two Special Forces groups.^[7] The Naval Infantry are responsible for port security, protection of the ten-kilometer coastal fringe, and patrolling major waterways. More recently the Navy has ceded most of its riverine responsibilities (formally handled by the Naval Infantry security units) to the Mexican Army, and has reduced the size of the Naval Infantry force, putting them back aboard ships where they play a vital role in drug interdiction and boarding of suspect vessels in territorial waters.

Search and Rescue Units

In 2008, the Mexican Navy created its new search and rescue system, allocated in strategic ports at Pacific and Gulf of Mexico ports, to provide assistance to any ships which are in jeopardy or at risk due to mechanical failure, weather conditions or life risk to the crew. To provide such support, the Navy has ordered Coast Guard Defender class ships (2 per station, and one 47-Foot Motor Lifeboat coastal guard ships). Other stations will be provided only with Defender class boats.^[8]

Modernization and Budget

The annual Navy's budget is in a 1 to 3 proportion of the national budget relative to the Army & Air Force. For the year 2007, the Army got three billion dollars budget, versus one billion dollars for the Navy. The Navy has a reputation for being a well-run and well-organized outfit. This reputation allows for a close relationship with the U.S. Navy, as evidenced by the procurement of numerous former USN ships.

Ships

The Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Francisco Saynez Mendoza, announced on October 1, 2007, detailed plans to upgrade and modernize the country's naval capabilities. On the following day, La Jornada newspaper from Mexico City, disclosed the Mexican Navy plans, which are among others, to build six oceanic patrol vessels (OPV) with length of 86 meters, 1680 tons and each housing a Eurocopter Panther helicopter as well as small high speed interception boats. The budget for this project is above $200 million USD.

CB 90 HMN Patrol Interceptor class Polaris

Another project is to build 12 CB 90 HMN high speed (50 knots) interception boats under license from a Swedish boat company to the Mexican Navy. Also, a number of fully equipped planes for surveillance and maritime patrol are being considered. Combinations of options and development are being defined.

Ship building

The Mexican Navy depends upon their naval shipyards for construction and repairs of their ships. There are 5 shipyards located in the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean:

• Gulf of Mexico
  • Naval shipyard 1 (ASTIMAR 1) - Tampico, Tamaulipas
  • Naval shipyard 3 (ASTIMAR 3) - Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz

• Pacific Ocean
  • Naval shipyard 6 (ASTIMAR 6) - Guaymas, Sonora
  • Naval shipyard 18 (ASTIMAR 18) - Acapulco, Guerrero
  • Naval shipyard 20 (ASTIMAR 20) - Salina Cruz, Oaxaca

Missiles

The Mexican Navy initiated studies to develop and construct its first missile, according to a May 2005 interview with the undersecretary of the Navy, Armando Sanchez, He explained that the missile should have an average range of 12 to 15 kilometers and be able to target enemy ships and aircraft. The undersecretary added that they already have the solid propellant, and the basic design of the missile. All aspects relative to their fuselage were solved as well as the launch platforms. The Mexican Navy is currently developing the computer software to direct the missile to its target. As of July 2008, the project is reported to be 80% complete.^[9]

Radar Modernization

In 2009, the Mexican Navy will begin operating a batch of new MPQ-64 Sentinel radars in the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico. The radar network was installed in 2007 for a trial phase while military personnel were trained to get familiar with the system. The new installations will work together with combat surface vessels that patrol the area.^[10][11]

Present Fleet

The Navy consists of surface ships and some aircraft.

Destroyers

ARM Netzahualcóyotl

ARM Galeana (F-202)

• Quetzalcoatl Class Ex US-Navy Gearing-FRAM II class.
  • ARM Netzahualcoyotl (D-102) (1982) - Present
• Manuel Azueta Class
  • ARM Manuel Azueta (D-111) (1973) - Present

Frigates

• Bravo Class
  • ARM Bravo (F-201) (1993) - Present
  • ARM Galeana (F-202) (1993) - Present
• Allende Class frigate
  • ARM Allende (F-211) (1997) - Present
  • ARM Abasolo (F-212) (1997)- Present
  • ARM Victoria (F-213) (2000) - Present
  • ARM Mina (F-214) (2002) - Present

Amphibious ships

• Panuco Class
  • ARM Manzanillo (A-402) (1971) - Present
• Papaloapan Class
  • ARM Papaloapan (A-411) (2001) - Present
  • ARM Usumacinta (A-412) (2001) - Present

Missile boats

• Huracan Class Ex Israeli Navy Aliya class (Saar 4.5).
  • ARM Huracan (A-301) (2004) - Present
  • ARM Tormenta (A-302) (2004) - Present

Offshore Patrol Vessels

Durango class corvettes

ARM Oaxaca

• Valle class Ex US-Navy minesweepers. Bought in 1972 and 1973.
  • ARM Barrera - Active
  • ARM Escobedo - Active
  • ARM Doblado - Active
  • ARM Santos - Active
  • ARM Alvarez - Active
  • ARM Zamora - Active
  • ARM Farias - Active
  • ARM Vallarta - Active
  • ARM Ortega - Active
  • ARM Matamoros - Active

• Uribe class. All the ships of this class were built at Spain in 1982 . Similar to Serviola class used by Spanish Navy.
  • ARM Uribe - Active
  • ARM Azueta - Active
  • ARM Baranda - Active
  • ARM Breton - Active
  • ARM Blanco - Active
  • ARM Monasterio - Active
• Holzinger class. This ships were developed in Mexico based on the Uribe class.
  • ARM Holzinger (1991) - Active
  • ARM Godinez (1991) - Active
  • ARM De La Vega (1994) - Active
  • ARM Berriozabal (1994) - Active
• Sierra class corvettes. This class of ships was developed and built in Mexico.
  • ARM Sierra (PO-141) (1999) - Active
  • ARM Juarez (PO-142) (1999) - Out of Service ^[12]
  • ARM Prieto (PO-143) (1999) - Active
  • ARM Romero (PO-144) (1999) - Active
• Durango class. This class of ships was developed and built in Mexico.
  • ARM Durango (PO-151) (2000) - Active
  • ARM Sonora (PO-152) (2000) - Active
  • ARM Guanajuato (PO-153) (2001) - Active
  • ARM Veracruz (PO-154) (2001) - Active
• Oaxaca class. This class of ships was developed and built in Mexico.
  • ARM Oaxaca (PO-161) (2003) - Active
  • ARM Baja California (PO-162) (2003) - Active

Coastal patrol ships

Azteca class

Designed and built by Vosper Thornycroft with updates by the Mexican Navy Shipyards.

Other ships

ARM Armelnath patrol boat

The Mexican Navy includes 60 smaller patrol boats and 32 auxiliary ships. It acquired 40 units, designated CB 90 HMN, between 1999 and 2001 and obtained a production license in 2002 allowing further units to be manufactured in Mexico.

For the year 2008 budget, the Mexican Congress approved a $15 million USD funds to build only 17 out of 60 combat boats requested. These ships, designated CB 90 HMN, are to increase its fast boat fleet. Additional budgets will be awarded each passing year.^[13] In total, the Mexican Navy has over 189 operational ships.^[3]

Equipment and Vehicles

Mexican Naval Infantry Inventory

Vehicle/System	Status	Origin
Land Vehicles
BTR-60/BTR-70	Has diesel engine and it does not have the turret with the 14.5 mm machine gun. Used with a 40 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher	Russia
Ural-4320	Off-road 6x6 truck	Russia
UNIMOG U-4000[14][15]		Germany
Gama Goat	Amphibious 4x4 vehicle. Used with a 40 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher or an Oerlikon 20 mm cannon.	United States
Freightliner M2[16]	4x2 truck	Mexico
MiniComando Ford[17]	4x4 F-250 series pick up	Mexico
MiniComando Dodge[18]	4x4 Pick up	Mexico
Mercedes-Benz G-Class[19][20]	4x4 cross-country vehicle	Germany
Land Rover	4x4	United Kingdom
Assault Rifles
M16 rifle	In service	United States
M4 Carbine	In service	United States
Submachine gun
Heckler & Koch MP5	In service	Germany
Heckler & Koch UMP	In service	Germany
FN P90	In service	Belgium
Heavy and light machine guns
M2 Browning machine gun	In service	United States
M249 Squad Automatic Weapon	In service	United States/ Belgium
FN Minimi	In service	Belgium
CETME Ameli[21]	In service	Spain
GAU-19	In service. Used on board of MD902 Helicopter.	United States
Grenade launcher
Mk 19 grenade launcher	In service	United States
Milkor MGL	In service	South Africa
M203 grenade launcher	In service	United States
CIS 40 AGL	In service	Singapore
Shotgun
Remington 1100	In service	United States
Sniper rifle
Heckler & Koch MSG90	In service	Germany
Barrett M82	In service	United States
Remington 700	In service	United States
Pistol
Glock pistol	In service	Austria
Heckler & Koch USP	In service	Germany
Artillery[22]
OTO Melara Mod 56 105 mm	In service	Italy
Bofors 40 mm		Sweden
51 mm FIROS (Multiple Launch Rocket System)
60 mm and 81 mm mortars
Anti-Ship Missile
Gabriel MK II missile	In service. Used on board of Huracan class ships	Israel
Anti-Aircraft missile
SA-18 Grouse	In service	Russia

Aircraft

The aircraft quantities are approximate.^[23][24]

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	In service[25]	Notes	Images
Fixed wing
Antonov	Russia	Utility transport	An-32B	6
de Havilland	Canada	Utility Utility transport	DHC-5 Buffalo DH-8	1 1
EADS CASA[26]	Spain	Utility transport	CASA C-295M	1	6 to be delivered
Turbo Commander	United States	Transport	980 Turbo	4
Beechcraft	United States	Transport Training	Baron 55 Bonanza 33	3 4
Learjet	United States	VIP transport	LJ25 LJ31 LJ60	1 1 1
Grumman	United States	Surveillance/AEW	E-2C Hawkeye	3	Purchased from Israel, overhauled and delivered in 2004.
CASA	Spain	Surveillance	C-212	7	All C-212 have been upgraded with FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System).[27]
Lancair	United States	Transport Training	IV-P Super ES Legacy 2000	3 3 2	One Super ES lost in accident
Sabreliner	United States	Transport	60	2
Maule Air	United States	Training	MX-7-235	14
Valmet	Finland	Training	L-90	8	Turboprop engine: 313kW Allison 250-B17F
Moravan	Czech Republic	Training	Zlin Z-242L	8	Acquired in 2002. Two lost in accidents[28]

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	In service[25]	Notes
Helicopters
Eurocopter	European Union	Search & rescue Combat	Fennec Panther	2 2	Two lost in accidents. Armed with gatling guns and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
Bölkow Bo 105	European Union	Surveillance	EC-Super Five	11	Armed with gatling guns and/or rocket launchers when required.
Robinson	United States	Training	R-44 R-22	1 1	One R-22 lost on accident.
MD	United States	Training	MD-500	4
Mil	Russia	Transport	Mi-2 Mi-17	4 23	Mi-17 armed with gatling guns and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
MD	United States	Combat	MD-902	6	Side-mounted General Dynamics 0.5in multi-barrel GAU-19/A rotary machine-guns and M2 pods containing seven 2.75in rockets each, for anti-narcotic operations.[29]

Future Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	On Order	Notes	Images
Helicopters
Eurocopter	European Union	Search & rescue Combat	Panther	3	To be received.[30][31]	|
EADS CASA	Spain	surveillance	CASA CN-235	6	To be received.[32][33][34][35]

See also

• Military of Mexico
  • Mexican Army
  • Mexican Air Force

References

External links

• Secretary of the Navy Official site (Spanish)
• Naval Infantry official site (Spanish)
• Mexican Naval Missile Picture
• Mexican Naval Missile Picture2
• Mexican Naval Missile Picture3