Geopolitics: December 2020

Friday, December 11, 2020

Shephard Media: Chilean Navy receives final batch of speedboats

"Chilean Navy receives final batch of speedboats"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard Media

Naval Warfare

December 9, 2020

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/chilean-navy-receives-final-batch-speedboats/

SAFE 25 vessels replace Rodman speedboats for patrol operations

Chilean state-run shipyard ASMAR has delivered the last five Defender-class speedboats to the navy’s maritime law enforcement authority DIRECTEMAR for patrol operations.

Chile acquired 15 SAFE 25 Full Cabin vessels from the US company Safe Boats International as part of the RHIN II programme.

While the boats were manufactured ...

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Shephard Media: Austal launches first Cape-class patrol vessel for Trinidad and Tobago

"Austal launches first Cape-class patrol vessel for Trinidad and Tobago"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard Media

December 8, 2020

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/premium-austal-launches-first-cape-class-patrol-ve/

Two boats will supplement a fleet of fast patrol craft for counter-narcotics patrols and other missions

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) is scheduled to receive two Cape-class patrol boats (CCPBs) by mid-2021, slightly later than the original intended date of the second half of 2020.

The first of the vessels (CG 41) was launched last month in Western Australia, boatbuilder Austal reported on 4 ...

The Diplomat: Kazakhstan Aims to Increase Participation in UN Peacekeeping Missions

"Kazakhstan Aims to Increase Participation in UN Peacekeeping Mission"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Crossroads Asia

The Diplomat

December 8, 2020

Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/kazakhstan-aims-to-increase-participation-in-un-peacekeeping-missions/

The additional troops won’t be deployed until 2022 and it’s not clear where they will be stationed.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recently announced his intention to deploy additional Kazakhstani military personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations (PKOs). The Central Asian nation has significantly increased its participation in PKOs in recent years by sending over 100 contingent troops to the U.N. mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Nur-Sultan appears to be keen to continue this trend.

Keep Reading...

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Shephard Media: Chilean MLRS development nears completion

"Chilean MLRS development nears completion"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard Media

September 29, 2020

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/premium-chilean-mlrs-development-nears-completion/

Chilean state-run defence company FAMAE is close to completing its Tralcan MLRS. The domestically manufactured system will undergo a final shooting test in Q4 2020; afterwards final design changes and other corrections will be applied if necessary, a FAMAE spokesperson explained to Shephard.

The company plans that an operational system ...

Shephard Media: Vessel transfers epitomise South Korean search for bigger role in South America

"Vessel transfers epitomise South Korean search for bigger role in South America"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard Media

October 14, 2020

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/premium-vessel-transfers-epitomise-south-korean-se/

A noticeable trend in recent years is for South Korea to transfer or donate naval vessels to South American countries

The Colombian Navy has taken command of Almirante Tono, formerly the Pohang-class corvette ROKS Iksan in service with the Republic of Korea Navy.

The vessel (pictured) will arrive in Colombia in mid-November, as part of an apparent strategy by Seoul to become a major supplier of defence technology to South American ...

Shephard Media: Peru lays out naval modernisation plans

"Peru lays out naval modernisation plans"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard Media

November 4, 2020

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/premium-peru-lays-out-naval-modernisation-plans/

New OPVs will be joined by four logistics vessels, while upgrade work continues on four diesel-electric submarines

The Peruvian Navy (MGP) plans to acquire up to three new OPVs to improve maritime patrol operations. The service has not disclosed the exact design it intends to procure but it requires vessels with 1,500-2,000t displacement and the capability to transport a helicopter.

State-run shipyard Servicios Industriales de ...

Shephard Media: Venezuelan technology plan may lean on Iran

"Venezuelan technology plan may lean on Iran"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard Media

November 27, 2020

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/premium-venezuelan-technology-plan-may-lean-iran/

Will the arms export ambitions of an emboldened Iran converge with Maduro's plans to develop the Venezuelan defence industry?

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced in a 19 November speech that his country aims to manufacture its own UAVs and aircraft, but grainy footage on state TV (pictured) suggests that Iran may also be assisting this quest.

Maduro boasted that Venezuela ‘will even export drones, will be made with Venezuelan ...

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Shephard Media: COVID impact delays delivery of Chilean icebreaker until 2024

"COVID impact delays delivery of Chilean icebreaker until 2024"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard Media

November 30, 2020

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/premium-covid-impact-delays-delivery-chilean-icebr/

Vessel to be delivered 12 months later than originally intended

Completion of the Antártica I project to build a new icebreaker for the Chilean Navy has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing back the prospect of its deployment on Antarctic patrols.

In a 24 November visit to the state-run ASMAR shipyard that is building the vessel, Minister of ...