Las palabras del máximo Jefe Naval del Perú están ahí y es la verdad. Cuelgo la entrevista entera para que vean si es solo viento o si se ha cumplido y viene cumpliendo lo que señaló a fines de 2013. Por algo le renovaron el Mando por un 3er año.
Admiral Carlos Tejada, General Commander of the Peruvian Navy, acknowledged to IHS Jane's that a tremendous effort is required to meet current commitments with available assets. "The challenges currently faced by the MGP are to have a credible and effective naval force to contribute to the nation's maritime security and safety," he said. "The improvement of Peru's economic situation, and subsequent increase of our allocated defence budget, allows us to secure the required minimum levels of capacities in terms of quality and quantity and to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of our three commands, [namely] the Comando General de Operaciones el Pacífico [Pacific Command], Comando General Operaciones de la Amazonia [Amazon Command], and Comandancia General de Capitanias y Guardacostas [Coast Guard Command]."
Surface ship upgrades
To meet these requirements, the MGP is looking to rejuvenate its capabilities, particularly its surface forces.
The first phase of this recapitalisation effort involves the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the MGP's four Aguirre-class frigates. Third-of-class BAP Bolognesi , the first to undergo this MLU, is in the final stages of the upgrade, awaiting only the delivery of the 180 km-range Exocet MM 40 Block 3 air-to-surface missiles - 16 of which are expected to be delivered in 2014. Upgrade work includes the replacement of the legacy Otomat Mk 2 missiles by the Exocet Block 3 and the RAN-10S and SPS-774 radars with the Selex ES Kronos-NV 3-D multipurpose radar and Northrop Grumman's Vision Master navigation radar. Meanwhile, the Lambda-F electronic warfare (EW) system and Alenia IPN-10/IPN-20 command and control (C2) system have been respectively replaced by the indigenously developed MAGE QHAWAX electronic support measures (ESM) suite and the VARAYOC combat management system (CMS). Furthermore, the SCLAR decoy launchers have been replaced by the Rheinmetall Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS).
In November 2013 Bolognesi began an extensive eight-month trials period, during which time live firings of the newly installed weapon systems will be conducted. The frigate is expected to be certified for full operational capability by mid-2014 before participating in several multinational training activities, such as the Americas-based 'UNITAS' maritime exercise, the 'SIFOREX' anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise, and possibly the US Navy-hosted 'RIMPAC 2014'.
Lead ship Aguirre , the second vessel to begin the MLU process, is expected to rejoin the fleet at the end of 2014. The other two frigates, Palacios and Quinones , are scheduled to complete their upgrades by 2015. The upgrade work is also aiming to extend the frigates' service lives well beyond 2025.
The six Velarde-class fast attack craft, based on the French PR-72P patrol boats, entered service between July 1980 and September 1981 and are now programmed to receive the same CMS and ESM suite upgrades as the Aguirre class.
New programmes
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala is very supportive of the navy's modernisation plans, having made a firm commitment to increase naval spending. The president has announced several new shipbuilding programmes, some of which are under way or are in the final approval stages.
On 12 December 2012, the programme kicked off at the Servicios Industriales de la Marinha (SIMA) shipyard in Callao with the keel-laying of the sail training vessel BAP Unión . With an overall length of 115.7 m, a displacement of 3,500 tons, and a sail area of approximately 3,400 m², Unión will be the largest sail training ship in South America. Final design work for the four-mast vessel, carried out by Spanish company CYPSA, is nearing completion and construction of hull modules has begun. Launch is anticipated for 27 July 2014 - the 180th anniversary of the birth of renowned Peruvian merchant marine and naval figure Almirante Miguel María Grau Seminario - with commissioning to follow in 2015.
The keel of the first of two multipurpose ships, known as Buque Multipropósito vessels, was laid at SIMA's Callao yard on 12 July. The design package for the vessels is being supplied by South Korea's DAE SUN Shipyard and Engineering. Twenty-five DAE SUN engineers and technical personnel are supporting SIMA's manufacture of the main engines, reduction gears, generator sets, bow thrusters, navigation equipment, and electronics. Based on the Indonesian Navy's Makassar-class multirole/landing platform dock vessels, the MGP's units will have a full load displacement of 11,394 tons, a load capacity larger than that of the Makassar vessels, and a strengthened vehicle deck to enable the ship to carry loads weighing up to 40 tons. The 122 m units will be capable of transporting up to 450 Marines, operating two SH-3 Sea King helicopters (one in the hangar and one on deck), embarking two landing craft utility (LCU) vessels in the well deck as well as up to 35 vehicles (including up to 20 amphibious assault vessels), and carrying four landing craft vehicle personnel (LCVPs) or four 11 m rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) on davits. The ships will have space for mixed crew accommodation and be able to carry more than 2,000 civilians. Taken together with the improved medical facilities onboard, this means the ships will be useful assets for humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) missions.
The scheduled construction time frame is 37 months (seven for design, 30 for build). The first major equipment deliverables will arrive in Callao in early 2014. Commissioning of the first unit is anticipated for early 2016, with the second by 2017. The units will be named BAP Paita and BAP Pisco , after the recently decommissioned Paita/Terrebone Parrish-class landing ship transports (LSTs).
A number of other programmes also are under way. The navy has taken delivery of six MGP-2000 Zorritos-class patrol craft and two Mantilla-class harbour craft. The government also has approved a feasibility study for a new diving and salvage support vessel. The ship, based on a SIMA tugboat design, will be about 30 m long and fitted with a decompression chamber, diving air compressors, and towing equipment. Construction is scheduled to start before the end of 2013. In addition, feasibility studies and preferred design parameters for the construction of four 1,800-ton offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and up to 10 medium-endurance patrol vessels (MEPVs) have been submitted to the Ministry of Defence for approval.
In the longer term, the MGP plans to build larger surface combatants, such as frigates and destroyers, and acquire replenishment ships. As there is no clear time frame for the implementation of these programmes, Admiral Tejada said that "as an intermediate solution, we are looking at destroyer- or frigate-type units on the European second-hand ship market. It is time to replace our flagship BAP Almirante Grau [ex-Netherlands vessel HNLMS De Ruyter ]. Despite [the ship's] 60 years, it is in very good condition, still being used as an alongside training platform and for important ceremonial functions". He added: "Different proposals from friendly [mainly European] navies are under consideration". One option is the Italian De la Penne-class destroyer.
The navy is also looking towards the second-hand warship market for replacements for its two Carvajal-class frigates, which have been transferred to the coastguard. Once more, the De la Penne destroyers are an option, along with Germany's Brandenburg-class Type 123 and Greece's MEKO 200 HN frigates. Options will be evaluated throughout 2014. If no suitable vessel is identified, the MGP will construct a new platform at Callao.
Furthermore, if the MGP has a requirement to support sustained operations at sea, it will need a modern replenishment ship.
A number of options are being examined.
The Lake Titicaca Patrol Force, currently comprising a hospital craft and a dozen small patrol launches, will be enhanced with the purchase of up to 10 additional 40 ft patrol craft, two of which have already been commissioned. The need for a new naval base has also been submitted to government.
The submarine service, which celebrated its centennial in 2011, is made up of six Angamos/Islay-class Type 209 boats, inducted into the fleet between 1974 and 1983. "The submarines are indispensable components in the posture of our navy," said Rear Admiral Raúl Cerdán, commanding officer of the submarine flotilla. "They provide versatile assets in safeguarding Peru's national interests linked to the sea. The changes in the strategic and geopolitical environment require us to operate increasingly in co-operation with other assets. We get more and more involved in intelligence collection and reconnaissance operations ... but we regularly take part in multinational exercises in order to have a standard to determine the efficiency and operational readiness of our submarines."
Since 2012 the submarine fleet has been the subject of significant upgrade work, carried out at SIMA's Callao and Chimbote yards. This modernisation is centred on the re-organisation of the operations room, the enhancement of combat direction system, the installation of a new sonar, the improvement of the hydrophones and signal processing capacity, the installation of an upgraded Sepa Mk 3 fire-control system, the integration of new electronic and communications systems, replacement of the SST-4 heavyweight torpedoes with the AEG SUT 264 Mod 3 weapon, and a major overhaul of the propulsion systems.
"We are also to purchase new masts and periscopes, in particular optronic masts equipped with [ESM], GPS, and early warning systems. These upgrades will allow the boats to remain in service for another 10 to 15 years, by which time the first of the new boats are scheduled to join the fleet," Adm Cerdán said. The navy plans to retire its two oldest boats, BAP Islay and BAP Arica , by 2023 and the four other boats by 2030. The admiral added that proposals received from different countries for the renewal of the submarine fleet are currently being evaluated. Candidates appear to be DSME, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, DCNS, and Navantia.
The Naval Air Service, stationed at Jorge Chavez International Airport at Lima and at Callao Naval Base, was boosted with the 2010 acquisition of four Fokker-60 maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Netherlands Navy and, in 2011, the receipt of surplus US SH-3 Sea King helicopters. Some aircraft have already been equipped with forward-looking infrared systems to improve reconnaissance and surveillance capability. New ASW- and SAR-capable SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters, and Mi-171 support/utility helicopters, are to be acquired in the short term.
Peru's naval infantry, or marine, force ( Infanteria de Marina ) is based on a single reinforced marine infantry battalion numbering approximately 3,600 personnel. The corps is well equipped and specialises in amphibious, air-mobile, and counter-terrorism operations. The marine infantry also includes a special forces component, the FOE, which operates separately within the organisation but shares training facilities and equipment.
In recent years Peruvian marines took part in the Haiti HADR operation and in United Nations peace-keeping deployments in the Sudan and Ethiopia. By 2016 the intent is to increase marine numbers to 5,000, with the addition of two more battalions. One will be incorporated into the amphibious brigade (increasing it from two to three battalions), and the second new unit will join the existing marine infantry battalion in Iquitos in the Amazon. There is another marine infantry battalion in Pucallpa.
New equipment will be acquired as well, including wheeled armoured personnel carriers, anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles, and 155 mm self-propelled howitzers.
Compared with other navies, the MGP's Hydrographic Department, created in 1903, is somewhat unique because it operates across a wide range of offshore and inland areas such as the Pacific Ocean, the Amazon river basin, Lake Titicaca, and Antarctica. The service has three survey vessels - BAP Carrillo , BAP Melo , and BAP Carrasco (all former Royal Netherlands Navy minesweepers) - the water-mapping vessel BAP Mancha , and the survey platform BAP Stiglich (which operates on the Amazon rivers).
"We are not looking into the replacement of these units yet," said Rear Admiral Fernando Peñaranda, director of the Hydrographic Department. " Carrillo , Melo , and Carrasco have been overhauled recently at Chimbote ... during which the main engines, generators, electronic systems, and hull have gone through an extensive overhaul. We do not plan to replace them for another 10 years."
The Hydrographic Department plays an important role in understanding and anticipating the course and flow of the Amazon river. "BAP Stiglich conducts hydrographic surveys to study how parameters such as volume and velocity of water flow, sediment transport, and riverbed morphology influence the complex river meander shapes and river currents," Adm Peñaranda noted, adding: "There are plans to base two additional hydrographic units in the Amazon region."
Another important issue is Peru's decision in 2013 to return after a five-year absence to its scientific research base in Antarctica: the Machu Picchu Research Station on King George Island, Admiralty Bay. "A contract for the construction of a new Antarctic ice-capable oceanographic research ship, based either on a design from the Spanish [shipbuilder] Navantia or [from STX Finland], [could] be signed as early as February 2014, with an in-service date anticipated for 2017," Adm Peñaranda said.
sus palabras son claras, no han modernizado la flota de U-209, en concordancia con lo que confirman en desfensa.pe ( Duck Hunter ) donde da la casualidad que no toman en serio a lethalito.
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