Bolivarian Armada of Venezuela

The navy of Venezuela, officially Bolivarian Armada of Venezuela (Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela) is categorized as a "modern, medium naval force with limited oceanic capabilities". The estimated numerical strength of the Navy is of 18,300 personnel, who include 7,800 marines and 500 Naval Aviation personnel.

It serves the purpose of defending the naval sovereignty of the country, including inland, fluvial security, it also serves to prevent illegal activities in the Venezuelan borders and contributes with international organisms to safeguard international waters from criminal activities.

History

Joint Exercises

In September, 2008. The Russian Navy's nuclear-powered Peter the Great missile cruiser, accompanied by three other ships of Russia's Northern Fleet, was to sail from its base in Severomorsk on Sunday on a cruise to the Caribbean Sea that will include a joint exercise with the Venezuelan Navy, Russian Naval spokesman Igor Dygalo said. This action would represent the first major Russian power projection in that region since the end of the Cold War. The fleet of ships, headed by the nuclear-powered Peter the Great cruiser, set off from its base at Severomorsk in the Arctic on Monday, September 22. Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo said the ships set sail at 1000 local time (0600 GMT), and would travel 15,000 nautical miles to reach their destination."It's the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Peter the Great, the anti-submarine warship Admiral Chebanenko and other accompanying ships," he told the AFP news agency.

Escuadra

The headquarters of the naval Escuadra (Fleet), Base Naval Contralmirante Agustín Armario, is located in the city of Puerto Cabello, Carabobo, it controls the four squads of the Escuadra: frigates, submarines, patrol boats, and amphibious and service ships. It is also responsible for the Submarine school and Centre of Tactical Training.

Organisation

The Venezuelan Escuadra has four squadrons, numbering a total of 21 operational ships and submarines.

Frigates

Based in Puerto Cabello, Carabobo.

• Six missile frigates Type Lupo/ Mariscal Sucre class
• F-21 Mariscal Sucre, in service since 07-14-1980
• F-22 Almirante Brión, in service since 03-07-1981
• F-23 General Urdaneta, in service since 08-08-1981
• F-24 General Soublette, in service since 12-04-1981
• F-25 General Salóm, in service since 04-03-1982
• F-26 Almirante García, in service since 07-30-1982

Submarines

Based in Puerto Cabello, Carabobo.

• Two Type 209/A-1300, Sábalo class, diesel electric submarines.
• S-31 Sábalo, in service since 08-06-1976
• S-32 Caribe, in service since 03-11-1977

Patrol boats

Based in Punto Fijo, Falcón.

• Three Type Vosper 37m./Federación class missile patrol boats.
• PC-12 Federación, in service since 03-25-1975
• PC-14 Libertad, in service since 06-12-1975
• PC-16 Victoria, in service since 09-22-1975
• Three Type Vosper 37m./Constitución class cannon patrol boats.
• PC-11 Constitución, in service since 03-25-1975
• PC-13 Independencia, in service since 06-12-1975
• PC-15 Patria, in service since 01-09-1975

Amphibious and service ships

Based in Puerto Cabello, Carabobo.

• Four Type LST/Capana class disembarking ships.
• T-61 Capana, in service since 07-24-1984
• T-62 Esequibo, in service since 07-24-1984
• T-63 Goajira, in service since 11-01-1984
• T-64 Los Llanos, in service since 11-01-1984
• One Ciudad Bolívar class supply ship.
• T-81 Ciudad Bolívar, in service since 09-23-2001
• One Punta Brava class oceanographic ship
• BO-11 Punta Brava, in service since 03-24-1991
• One Bricbarc type/Simón Bolívar training sailboat.
• BE-11 Simón Bolívar, in service since 08-12-1980

Marine Infantry

Headquartered in Meseta de Mamo, Vargas, the estimated numerical strength of this unit is of approx. 8,000 men and women. Its mission is to "enlist and direct its units in order to form the disembarking force and/or support of amphibious or special operations; executing naval safeguarding and environmental policing, as well as actively participating in the national development". It consists of two Marine Infantry Brigades, two Riverine Security Brigades, an Engineers Brigade, a Naval Police Brigade, and a Naval Reserve Brigade

Coast Guard

Headquartered in La Guaira, Vargas, its mission is to "Plan, execute and control naval security, environmental protection, natural resource preservation and traffic controlling activities. It also serves to combat piracy and narco-traffic"

Combat order

• One company of naval salvage.
• Boarding and inspection teams.
• A squad of coast guard ships.

Coast guard ships

• Two Almirante Clemente Class Frigates.
• CG-11 Almirante Clemente, in service since 04-12-1956
• CG-12 General Morán, in service since 10-01-1957
• Twelve Gavión class patrol ships.
• PG-401 Gavión, in service since 10-06-1999.
• PG-402 Alca, in service since 10-06-1999.
• PG-403 Bernacia, in service since 10-06-1999.
• PG-404 Chamán, in service since 10-06-1999.
• PG-405 Cormorán, in service since 06-09-2000.
• PG-406 Colimbo, in service since 06-09-2000.
• PG-407 Fardela, in service since 06-09-2000.
• PG-408 Sumarela, in service since 06-09-2000.
• PG-409 Negrón, in service since 06-09-2000.
• PG-410 Picargo, in service since 06-09-2000.
• PG-411 Pagaza, in service since 06-09-2000.
• PG-412 Serreta, in service since 06-09-2000.
• Four USCG. Point class patrol boats.
• PG-31 Petrel, in service since 06-26-1967, transferred to Venezuela since 10-15-1991
• PG-32 Alcatraz, in service since 07-26-1966, transferred to Venezuela since 01-15-1992
• PG-33 Albatros, in service since 09-18-1962, transferred to Venezuela since 08-03-1999
• PG-34 Pelícano, in service since 11-14-1966, transferred to Venezuela since 08-03-1999
• Two Los Tanques class tactical/utility ships.
• LG-11 Los Tanques, in service since 05-15-1981
• LG-12 Los Cayos, in service since 09-1984

These utility ships are former commercial units, decommissioned and transferred to the Navy by courts of law.

Other ships in the coast guard squadron include a towing ship, US Chololoco, and plans for the national construction of at least 15 P.698 PT Boats.

External links

• Sitio oficial del Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Defensa de Venezuela
• Sitio oficial del Ejército Libertador (Venezuela)
• Sitio oficial de la Armada de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela
• Sitio oficial de la Aviación Militar de Venezuela
• Sitio oficial de la Guardia Nacional de Venezuela
• Sitio oficial de la Aviación del Ejército del Venezuela
• Sitio no oficial de la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela