South American naval maritime exercises

South American naval forces are conducting various maritime exercises to improve interoperability and security coordination.

In the Beagle Channel, Argentina and Chile have commenced the 25th edition of the Viekaren exercise in Puerto Williams. Guided by the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, this operation focuses on maritime safety, environmental protection, and emergency response. Participating vessels include Argentine ships ARA ‘Contraalmirante Cordero’, ARA ‘Indómita’, ARA ‘Clorinda’, and ARA ‘Baradero’, alongside Chilean patrol ships ARCH ‘Isaza’ and ARCH ‘Sibbald’, and general service boats ARCH ‘Alacalufe’ and ARCH ‘Hallef’.

Simultaneously, the Colombian Navy has deployed the frigate ARC ‘Almirante Padilla’ to join the 67th edition of the UNITAS multinational naval exercises hosted by Peru. This multinational force, which includes the United States, aims to improve joint response capabilities across various naval warfare scenarios.

Additionally, Argentina and Brazil conducted the XXXIX Fraterno binational exercise off the coast of Mar del Plata. Utilizing the Argentine rescue vessel MB Guillobel, personnel from both nations performed deep-sea diving and salvage operations at depths of up to 25 meters within the Cristo Redentor submarine park. The training included land-based simulator exercises to practice decompression profiles and emergency response techniques.