returned to service soon. The work was contracted to Lockheed Martin Canada and included installation of a CMS 330 combat management system, new Hensoldt TRS-4D AESA surveilance and target acquisition radar with an MSSR 2000 interrogator and LTR4000DNG transponder that conforms to Mode 5 IFF, plus a new MBDA CAMM missile system. As the two L-class frigates received in 2008 (together with two M-class) were retired in 2019, the Navy procured as replacements two Adelaideclass frigates (similar to the USN’s Oliver Hazard Perry-class) from the Royal Australian Navy – HMAS Melbourne and Newcastle. The two vessels were commissioned into the Chilean Navy in 2020 as Almirante Latorre and Capitán Prat, respectively. The Navy-owned Asmar shipyard is increasing its participation in building ships for the force, now finishing construction of the new PC5class Antártica 1 polar ship. Work on the ship, of the Vard Marine 9 203 design, began on 16 August 2018 and he vessel is expected to be commissioned in 2023. The force also plans to replace the Merino submarine support vessel and the two Type 209/1400 submarines (Thompson and Simpson), by 2025, most probably with two Scorpéne-class vessels in addition to the two already in operation. Chilean Naval Aviation has recently received the first two Airbus H125 Ecureuil, of five the force plans to buy to replace the Bell UH-57B Jet Ranger. Furthermore, modernisation of the two P-3ACh Orions by IMP Aerospace of Canada has just been completed. While the pandemic and domestic problems are making it difficult for the Chilean armed forces to keep themselves updated, they are currently making massive efforts to do just that. The political changes expected in the country will undoubtedly bring some uncertainties, but any changes are not anticipated to be drastic. 30 · MT 2/2022 Nations in Focus Similarly, no decision has yet been made regarding a replacement for the Enaer/CASA A-36 Halcón advanced trainer: its mission is currently being fulfilled by Embraer Super Tucanos. For basic training, in 2018 the Chilean Air Force and Enaer announced they will work on a replacement for the T-35 Pillán, called Pillán II, which could be basically an existing airframe with new avionics and systems and other improvements. Plans are to move forward with the design from 2022. In the Navy At the turn of the century, the Chilean Navy mainly comprised old, outdated vessels. Over the past 20 years, it has conducted an extensive modernisation programme, as a result becoming one of the region’s bestequipped forces. Besides buying a full array of vessels, mostly second hand, including three Type 23 frigates, the Navy started a modernisation programme for the latter. This became the most important project, with the first vessel – the Almirante Cochrane – being delivered in 2020, swiftly followed by the Almirante Lynch and Almirante Condell, which are to be The Almirante Lynch Type 23 frigate, currently being modernised with new systems and weapons. (Photo: Chilean Navy) The Merino submarine support ship, which the Chilean Navy wants to replace soon. (Photo: Chilean Navy)
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