CSIS Americas: "Science, Cooperation, and Winter Uniforms: The Role of South American Militaries in Antarctica"

 

"Science, Cooperation, and Winter Uniforms: The Role of South American Militaries in Antarctica"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

CSIS Americas Program

20 March 2025

Published: https://www.csis.org/analysis/science-cooperation-and-winter-uniforms-role-south-american-militaries-antarctica 

March is the month of the famous carnivals in South America. However, the month also signifies the end of the Antarctic summer campaigns. Argentina and Chile are two of the seven countries that claim Antarctic territory, but other South American countries are also present on the frozen continent. The cornerstone of these annual campaigns, unsurprisingly, is the armed forces. As Antarctica’s importance grows, it is necessary to understand the strategies and objectives of South American governments toward the southernmost region. And to do that, we need to understand the role of South American militaries.

Shephard News: "Chilean Navy commissions icebreaker as race for Antarctica heats up"

 

"Chilean Navy commissions icebreaker as race for Antarctica heats up"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Naval Warfare

Shephard Media

30 July, 2024

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/chilean-navy-commissions-icebreaker-as-race-for-antarctica-heats-up/

The commissioning of the domestically manufactured icebreaker Almirante Viel marks the latest addition to a series of new ships acquired by South American navies to enhance their presence in Antarctic waters.

Continue reading... 

Shephard Media: "Brazil signs polar vessel contract"

 

 "Brazil signs polar vessel contract"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Naval Warfare

Shephard Media

27 June 2022

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/brazil-signs-polar-vessel-contract/

Construction of the Navio de Apoio Antártico (NApAnt) is scheduled to begin this year.

The Brazilian Navy expects to receive by late 2025 a new polar support vessel (Navio de Apoio Antártico, or NApAnt), the service explained after a contract was signed on 13 June.

Continue reading... 

Journal: " How are we getting there? The present and future of South America’s Antarctic fleet"

"How are we getting there? The present and future of South America’s Antarctic fleet"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
The Polar Journal
December, 2019
Originally published: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2154896X.2019.1685177


Please contact me if you would like a copy of this essay.


 

ABSTRACT

While South America is geographically close to Antarctica, more so than some countries that claim Antarctic territory, it is nevertheless important to maintain modern and operational platforms, particularly vessels, via which South American states can travel to this region. In recent years, Peru has obtained a new polar vessel, while Chile is domestically manufacturing a new icebreaker and Brazil is looking to purchase a new polar ship. Nevertheless, countries like Argentina and Uruguay, due to limited funds, do not appear to have plans to acquire new polar vessels to replace their current, ageing naval platforms.

Certainly, governments can also utilise aircraft to transport personnel and equipment to Antarctica as well as to carry out some scientific tests and search-and-rescue operations. However there are particular advantages to possessing a vessel in the inventory of any country’s Antarctic program, since it can transport heavy equipment, and perform subsurface tests out at sea. Polar vessels also carry smaller craft and a helicopter, which multiplies the ship’s capabilities. This essay aims to discuss the current operational status of South America’s polar platforms, with a specific focus on ships, and what are their future. We will analyse the region’s ships and compare them to other nations that have Antarctic programmes (e.g. Australia, the People’s Republic of China and the United States), in order to have an idea of how South American states are doing in comparison to other programs. As we look at South America’s present and attempt to predict the region’s future in Antarctica, we will discuss issues like cooperation amongst South American Antarctic programs, and the future of regionally manufactured naval platforms for polar use.

Journal Essay: The Polar Journal: An overview of Colombia’s Antarctic programme

"An overview of Colombia’s Antarctic programme"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
The Polar Journal
Opinion
Published Online: 28 November 2018

(Please contact me if you'd like a free PDF copy: 
 wilder.a.sanchez at gmaill.com)

ABSTRACT

This paper provides an overview of the history and growth of Colombia’s Antarctic programme and how it has rapidly progressed in recent years. The country carried out its first Antarctic expedition with a domestically manufactured vessel during the 2014–2015 austral summer. Annual expeditions have continued since then, and in early 2018 the government announced its intention to acquire a new vessel and establish a seasonal base by 2025 at the latest in a location yet to be determined. This rapid succession of achievements demonstrates Colombia’s seriousness about its Antarctic programme. Nevertheless, a major challenge will be to secure funding for its Antarctic programme, thus 2018 will be a critical year as the country will hold general elections, and it will be imperative for the next administration to consider the programme a priority in order to maintain its momentum. It is important to understand the intention and objectives of non-claimant nations with growing Antarctic programmes and for the international community to harness this interest so that they can carry out meaningful contributions in order to protect Antarctica.

KEYWORDS: Colombia, navy, Antarctica, Latin America, 20 de Julio

Journal: Argentina, Chile and the Joint Antarctic Naval Patrol: a successful confidence building mechanism

"Argentina, Chile and the Joint Antarctic Naval Patrol: a successful confidence building mechanism"
W. Alejandro Sanchez
The Polar Journal
Published online: 11 April, 2017
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2154896X.2017.1310488

Abstract

Established in the late 1990s, the Joint Antarctic Naval Patrol (PANC) is a defence initiative that brings together naval platforms from Argentina and Chile to monitor Antarctic waters and territory. After almost 20 annual campaigns, Patrol vessels have helped numerous vessels in need, as well as having carried out an emergency extraction from a Brazilian base in 2012. The success of the PANC is even more commendable given the occasionally tense relations between Argentina and Chile, which include overlapping Antarctic claims. The PANC is likely to continue operating for the immediate future particularly since climate change, which translates into a longer Antarctic summer, and greater maritime traffic has already prompted recent campaigns to extend operations for an additional two weeks. Nevertheless, one factor that hinders the Patrol and its capabilities is that it is made up of a few ageing vessels, and neither Argentina nor Chile have recently obtained modern platforms for Antarctic operations. In spite of this limitation, the activities carried out by these two navies make the PANC an example of how military cooperation to protect the Antarctic and human activities there is possible.

Keywords: Argentina, Chile, Navy, confidence building mechanism, Antarctica, military

LIP: Expanding Peru’s Presence in Antarctica

"Expanding Peru's Presence in Antarctica"
W. Alejandro Sanchez
Opinion
Living in Peru
April 6, 2017
http://www.peruthisweek.com/blogs-expanding-perus-presence-in-antarctica-111483

A new Peruvian scientific expedition in Antarctica, named ANTARXXIV, concluded in early March. Peru has had a presence in Antarctica dating back to the late 1980s and while the country does not claim territory there, it is nevertheless imperative for Peru to have a constant and vibrant presence as Antarctica’s importance increases in the coming years. The recent addition of a new oceanographic vessel is a welcomed development as this platform will help Peru’s Antarctic program develop.

“Peru has had a presence in Antarctica dating back to the late 1980s and while the country does not claim territory there, it is nevertheless imperative for Lima to have a constant and vibrant presence as Antarctica’s importance increases in the coming years.”

Peru And The Frozen Continent

Peru is a member of the Antarctic Treaty System the international system that monitors Antarctica; it joined the Antarctic Treaty in 1981, became a Consultative Status member in 1989 and signed the Environment Protocol in 1998. Additionally, the country’s 2005 White Book has a section discussing Peru’s history in said region.

Peru’s first expedition occurred in 1988, during the first term of former President Alan Garcia (1985-1990) and since then, it has maintained a small but continuous presence in Antarctica. The country has a semi-permanent base, Machu Picchu , in King George Island, and also a polar vessel, BICHumboldt. Unfortunately, Humboldt is an old platform, as it was constructed in 1978 by the Peruvian shipyard Servicios Industriales de la Marina, with German assistance, and had to undergo major upgrades as recently as 2012 to extend its operational life.

Thankfully Peru will not have to rely on Humboldt for much longer as the Ollanta Humala presidency (2011-2016) ordered a new oceanographic polar vessel, BAP Carrasco (BOP-171), which was constructed by the Spanish shipyard Freire. The new vessel was handed-over to a Peruvian crew in late March and Carrasco will hopefully participate in the 2018 campaign. The author is not aware of Lima’s plans for Humboldt, but hopefully it will continue to operate in a support capacity so that Peru can have a polar fleet, not just one vessel.

As for ANTAR XXIV it was carried out from 9 January until 5 March. Air Force Coronel Wolker Lozada Maldonado commanded the expedition which reportedly had 33 specialists .

Looking Ahead

The author will put forward three overlapping reasons why Peru needs to maintain a constant presence, if not larger than it currently has, in Antarctica. First, the frozen continent is becoming crowded: there are seven countries, including Argentina and Chile, have territorial claims in Antarctica. Additionally, global powers like the U.S and China , have bases there. Even more, new countries are developing their own Antarctic programs. One prime example is neighboring Colombia , which recently carried out its third Antarctic expedition via a domestically-manufactured vessel, ARC20 de Julio. In other words, Peru should not fall behind in this race for Antarctica.

Second, a key date to keep in mind is 2048, when ATS comes up for review (until 2048 the Protocol can only be modified by unanimous agreement of all Consultative Parties). While Peru does not claim Antarctic territory, it is important that the Peruvian government has a seat at the table of negotiations when Antarctica’s future is decided. One method to achieve this is by carrying out relevant scientific research, e.g. ongoing Peruvian studies of the krill , during the ANTAR expeditions.

Finally, climate change is affecting the global ecosystem, including the melting of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, and there will be a growing interest to exploit the region’s natural and mineral resources. As discussed in the paragraph above, Peru must be in a position in which it can have a relevant voice in these inevitable discussions in order to protect the country’s interests.

Final Thoughts

Peru’s presence in Antarctica over the past three decades should be a source of national pride for the Andean nation. As the region’s importance grows and the year 2048 approaches, Peru must continue to have a vibrant role in Antarctic affairs. The acquisition of Carrasco is a very positive development and which will hopefully be followed by other initiatives so that the Peruvian flag will be ever-present in Antarctica.

For more information see: Reinvigorating Peru’s role in Antarctic Geopolitics . W. Alejandro Sanchez and Otto Tielemans Jr. The Polar Journal. Vol. 5/Issue 1. June 2015. P. 101-112.
W. Alejandro Sanchez Nieto is an international security analyst. Follow him on Twitter:@W_Alex_Sanchez

The views presented in this essay are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of any institutions with which the author is associated.

_W. Alejandro Sanchez Nieto is an international security analyst. Follow him on Twitter. _

Journal: Reinvigorating Peru’s role in Antarctic geopolitics

"Reinvigorating Peru's Role in Antarctic Geopolitics"
W. Alejandro Sanchez and Otto Raul Tielemans Jr.
The Polar Journal
Volume 5, Issue 1 2015
P. 101-112
June 2015
Link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2154896X.2015.1030164
(please contact me if you'd like a PDF copy)


Peru has lagged in expanding its miniscule operations in the Antarctic. With neighbours such as Russia and China consistently appropriating greater resources towards its Antarctic bases, Peru can only lay claim to a seasonally operating base and naval vessel capable of annual expeditions to the frozen continent. The lack of investment in the region is crippling to the Andean nation, diminishing its presence and potential influence in the region. With the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 potentially up for revision in 2048, it is in Peru’s national interest to cement, promote and protect its fragile presence in Antarctica. As such, this essay will not only discuss Peru’s historical interactions with the Antarctic dating back to the 1970s, but it will also seek to highlight recent expeditions, including a visit by President Humala to Antarctica in 2013. It is the opinion of the authors that Peruvian initiatives in the Antarctic have been minimalist and insufficient to cement its role as relevant player in Antarctic geopolitics. Furthermore, this essay provides recommendations regarding what initiatives Lima can execute in the near future to not only increase its presence but also showcase it to the world. These suggestions include obtaining a second vessel, establishing a permanent base and promoting Peruvian scientific research regarding the Antarctic to the international academic community and even low-cost initiatives such as utilising the Internet to promote Peru’s Antarctic history and contributions to the protection of this important region.

Peru This Week: Peru uses drones for archaeological projects

"Peru uses drones for archeological projects"
W. Alejandro Sanchez
Peru This Week
July 21, 2014
Originally published: http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-peru-uses-drones-for-archeological-projects-103444

At a time when the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for military purposes continues to be controversial around the world, Peru is successfully utilizing its drones for civilian projects. Specifically, Peruvian archaeologists are using drones to study pre-Inca ruins in the country’s Andes and Amazon.

The UAVs’ video and photography cameras are certainly helpful as they provide archeologists an “eye in the sky” for research, including locating ruins which are not easily spotted from the ground. Additionally, drones can help create 3D models of archeological sites.

The era of archeological drones in Peru has started thanks to the 2013 discovery of tombs that belonged to a pre-Inca culture called Chachapoyas. The tombs were located in El Tigre mountain, in the Amazonas region. A drone flew 300 meters and photographed 23 sarcophagi which, according to the Peruvian media, are part of a cemetery for the children of important families of the Chachapoya people. The drone that was used for this important discovery was a Phantom I, which is produced by the Chinese company DJI.

This successful usage of drones will likely entice the Peruvian government to acquire more of them. Already, there are reports that the Peruvian Ministry of Culture plans to purchase more drones for archaeological projects in the Lambayeque and La Libertad regions, where there is evidence of the presence of two other pre-Inca cultures: Lambayeque and Chimu. Besides the Chachapoyas finding, drones are already being used elsewhere in Peru. For example, the renowned Peruvian archeologist Luis Jaime Castillo, has flown drones to explore the San Jose de Moro site, an ancient burial ground that belonged to the Moche culture and which encompasses 150 hectares.

But as much as drones can aid Peruvian archaeologists, this new technology has a few drawbacks. An August 2013 report by Reuters explains, “[drone] batteries are big and short-lived, it can take time to learn to work with the sophisticated software and most drones struggle to fly in higher altitudes.” The last point is important as the Peruvian Andes are filled with ruins dating back to the Inca empire (i.e. the Machu Picchu citadel) and pre-Inca cultures. The fact that some drones cannot perform well at high altitudes is a problem that will hopefully be solved as new models are produced that can adapt to different environments. 
As for learning how to fly drones, the Peruvian government is carrying out proactive initiatives. For example, this past March the Ministry of Culture organized a workshop on drone usage in Lima and also in the Tumbas Reales de Sipan Museum in the Lambayeque region. These workshops brought together over a hundred specialists that focus on different aspects of discovering and protecting Peru’s historical heritage; they learned how to utilize drones for aerial photography, 3D modeling and digital topography.

The aforementioned Castillo is now Peru’s deputy minister for culture and a supporter of using drone technology for archaeological purposes in the Andean nation. In a February interview, he highlighted how “now, for a few hundred dollars, you can buy a decent quadricopter with a camera. You’re going from nothing to everything.” Castillo was referring to how previously Peruvian archaeologists had to resort to sketchpads to draw the peculiarities and aspects of a site, but now a drone greatly facilitates this work.

Without a doubt, UAVs can have various positive effects on the future of Peruvian archeology. As the Andean country continues to enjoy a decade of economic growth, hopefully sufficient funds will be given to Peruvian cultural agencies in order to not only protect Peru’s rich history, but also strengthen future archeological projects.