Carabineros de Chile invests 22 million USD in new vehicle fleet

The Chilean police force, Carabineros de Chile, is proceeding with a major vehicle fleet renewal plan. The Logistics Directorate has awarded contracts to five providers for the acquisition of 707 units, including patrol cars, vans, pickups, and motorcycles, totaling approximately 22.2 million USD. This initiative aims to address a deficit of aging or out-of-service vehicles that impacts public order and security operations.

The new fleet will include 300 Hyundai Tucson SUVs, 39 Ford Transit vans, 12 Ford Ranger Raptor pickups, and 268 Honda CRF300L motorcycles. Notably, the final award represents a significant saving against the original estimated budget of 49.8 million USD, although one major tender for 380 multipurpose vans was declared void.

In a separate local development, municipal authorities in Castro have called for increased police presence and resources. Mayor Baltazar Elgueta met with the Undersecretary of Public Security to request more personnel, vehicles, and the potential creation of a third police quadrant to improve coverage in commercial and central sectors of the province.