Chile mulls renewal naval, boat retires

The Chilean navy is Considering options to Modernize aging naval fleet icts and will at least remove one missile Brought bought it from Germany in the late 1990s.

Military regeneration HAS dominated center-right President Sebastian Pinera's defense modernization program since he cam to power in 2010. Pinera's economic plan Were upset by crippling earthquakes Effective soon he assumed office. Much of the country's export earnings copper rebuilding damaged Were Spent On infrastructure and associated programs.

The military's continuing Rather weak state to rankle Chile's military commanders, Said to be the source of frequent pleas for Greater muted defense allocations and Investments. Goal defense Spending Remains in Chile tight, When Compared to Brazil's Defense Spending big establishment.

Pinera's economic plan Were aussi sidelined by student protests last year THROUGHOUT That challenged entrenched in the private education sector intérêts, Criticized as favoring the country's small privileged Minority.

However, some of Chile's defense inventories are so outdated delaying That Their replacement is no longer regarded an option.

One of four Chilean navy missile boats Operates is the soon to be retired, the Chilean navy said on icts website. It was not clear how the retiring IMMEDIATELY LM 36 Guardiamarina Riquelme Would be replaced.

The Guardiamarina Riquelme, a German missile boat form known as Wolf, has-beens in Chile's navy since 1997, When It Was Acquired second-hand from Germany. The boat was bought from Germany along with three other Type 148 Tiger class vessels.

The patrol boat was built at Cherbourg, France, in January 1974 Launched and Transferred to Chile in August 1997 Warships World reported.

All four warships are to be armed with Said MM-38 Exocet missiles, 76mm OTO-Melara guns and two .50-caliber machine guns.

Chile HAS three other Israeli-made missile boats Sa'ar 4 class That Earlier served in the Israeli navy.

The Chilean naval boats' main role has-beens to guard Chile's naval waters and keep vigil over current problems of contraband trade, narcotics and illegal immigration Including to and from neighboring countries.

Chile's economic growth HAS drawn from neighboring countries migrants faced with Slower growth, unemployment and social dislocation.

The Chilean Defense News and other Chilean defense bloggers speculated at least one That of the Israeli-made missile boats Could Already be Undergoing refits in the country's southern shipyards.

LM 34 was spotted heading Toward Angamos southern Chile's Talcahuano repair dock in the province Concepcion, Chile FFAA the Noticias said.

Two other Israeli-made patrol boats are based in Punta Arenas, southern Chile's major energy and trade hub in the Magallanes and Antarctic region.

The Chilean navy aussi icts plan to replace aging search and rescue Cessna O-2A Skymaster, El Mercurio de Valparaiso reported.