What we do

As almost all the modern navies around the world, the basic purpose of the Chilean Navy is to gain Sea Control. This control of the areas under the navy responsibility provides to our country benefits and capabilities that help to the national development. To achieve these main tasks, our Navy has developed the Three Vectors Strategy, valid likewise in peace and wartime. These three vectors are: the Defence one, thus to preserve Chilean sovereignty and territorial integrity; the Maritime one, thus to protect and develop the national maritime interests; and, the International one, thus to support Chilean Foreign Policy.

National Defence

The Chilean Navy is part of a National Defence Strategy. The joint training and readiness is vital to preserve sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country. For that purpose, the Armed Forces are well prepared to operate and combat in any place, under any condition, considering the different possible scenarios. Both Army and Air Force have also conducted their modernization process that ensures Chile a modern and well prepared force, capable to deterrence.

“Our Presence in Antarctica”

The Navy has maintained an unremitting presence in the Antarctic Continent from the onset of the XXth century. The salvage in 1916 of Endurance’s survivors led by Ernest Schakleton, by means of Commander Luis Pardo and his crew on board the “Yelcho”, reflects the Navy’s dedication in the waters of the white continent, where it has been permanently involved. In 1947 the “Arturo Prat” Naval Antarctic Base began to operate, having been recently refurbished. Various Port Authorities operate throughout the area claimed by our country. The icebreaker “Almirante Viel” and other units carry out logistic campaigns during the summer period to provide supplies to the Chilean bases and perform surveillance in the watercourses. Both Argentinean and Chilean Navies have jointly created the Antarctic Combined Naval Patrol.