Currently, one of the most important multinational exercises in the Americas is taking place: Exercise UNITAS LXV. From September 2 to 13, 2024, it has brought together naval forces from 25 countries on the coasts of Chile. The southern country has received ships, submarines, aircraft, and marine forces from across the American continent and even from Asia.
Colombia’s participation this year will be represented by the oceanic patrol vessel ARC Victoria (PZE-48), the third Fassmer OPV 80-class Exclusive Economic Zone patrol vessel, manufactured by the Corporation for Science and Technology for the Development of the Naval, Maritime, and Fluvial Industry (Cotecmar). It is a high-seas patrol vessel with the following dimensions: length of 80.6 meters, beam of 13.6 meters, depth of 6.5 meters, design draft of 3.8 meters, and a displacement of 1,814 tons.
Among its multiple capabilities are a flight deck and hangar for a medium helicopter, a stern ramp for deploying an interceptor boat, a rescue bay, a balance reduction system, a 4-ton deck crane, and a reduced radar signature. Its armament includes an Oto Melara 76 mm cannon, a 20 mm cannon, and .50 caliber machine guns.
Participating in the current exercise are naval forces from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Ecuador, Spain, the United States, the Philippines, France, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay, among others. These nations have contributed a total of 19 aircraft, 2 submarines, and 19 warships.
Among the main naval components participating are:
- The Chilean Scorpène-class submarine SS-22 “Carrera”
- The Mexican Reformador-class frigate ARM POLA-101 “Benito Juarez”
- The Ecuadorian Esmeralda-class missile corvette, BAE CM-16 “Loja”
- The U.S. Whidbey Island-class amphibious ship USS LSD-42 “Germantown”
- The U.S. Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine USS SSN-767 “Hampton”
- The UK Protector-class icebreaker, RN A173 HMS “Protector”
- The Peruvian Pohang-class corvette, BAP CC-28 “Guise”
- The Argentine Meko 360H2-class destroyer, ARA D-13 “Sarandi”
- The Brazilian Vosper MK-10-class frigate, F-43 “Liberal”
- The Chilean Karel Doorman-class frigate FF-18 “Almirante Riveros”
- The Chilean Type 23-class frigate FF-07 “Almirante Lynch”
- The Chilean L-class frigate FFG-14 “Almirante Latorre”
The vessel departed from the Colombian port Base Naval ARC “Bahía Málaga” on August 24 with a crew of 97 men and women, whose mission is to strengthen knowledge, interactions, communications, and operational capabilities with other naval components from allied countries.
The journey was not without its challenges, as at the height of Ecuador it had to conduct a sea rescue of three fishermen who were adrift while performing their duties 134 kilometers off the coast. After the rescue, actions were coordinated with the Ecuadorian Navy for a meeting at sea where the rescued individuals were handed over to the Ecuadorian Coast Guard.
This will be the 65th meeting that the Colombian Navy has attended continuously over the past 19 years. This year, in addition to the main vessel, Colombia will also be participating with a Bell 412 helicopter, a Defender-class Coast Guard unit, and a team of specialized divers from the Diving and Salvage Command.
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