Ecuadorian Navy Explained

Unit Name:Ecuadorian Navy
Start Date:1832
Type:Navy
Specialization:-->
Size:9,400[1]
27 vessels
Command Structure:Armed Forces of Ecuador
Colours:-->
Colours Label:-->
Anniversaries:25 July, Navy Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Jambelí
Battle Honours:Ecuadorian–Peruvian War 1941
Commander1:Rear Admiral Luis Santiago Chávez
Commander1 Label:Commander-in-chief of the Navy
Identification Symbol Label:Naval Ensign
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Naval Jack
Identification Symbol 3 Label:Naval Aviation roundel

The Ecuadorian Navy (Spanish; Castilian: Armada del Ecuador) is an Ecuadorian entity responsible for the surveillance and protection of national maritime territory and has a personnel of 9,400[1] men to protect a coastline of 2,237 km which reaches far into the Pacific Ocean. The vessels are identified by a ship prefix of B.A.E.: Spanish; Castilian: Buque de la Armada del Ecuador (Ship of the Ecuadorian Navy) or L.A.E.: Spanish; Castilian: Lancha de la Armada del Ecuador (Boat of the Ecuadorian Navy).

Mission

Organize, train, equip and maintain naval capabilities, as well as to assist and support all procedures involving national security and development. Contribute to the achievement of safeguarding national objectives in times of peace and war.

Vision

Maintain highly trained naval forces to secure victory within the maritime zone in order to support developing communities. As a consequence operate highly qualified military personnel whom are able to fulfill this role based on elevated moral, values and principles.

History

The roots of the Ecuadorian Navy or (Spanish; Castilian: Armada Ecuatoriana) date back to 1823 whilst forming a part of the Gran Colombian fleet. The government of President Eloy Alfaro (1906–1911) made one of the most notable naval acquisitions of the time, the torpedo ship, with the aim of restoring the navy. In 1832, the Ecuadorian Congress officially established the Ecuadorian Maritime Department. On 25 July 1941 during the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, the gunboat commanded by Rafael Morán Valverde encountered the Peruvian destroyer Almirante Villar in the Jambeli channel.[2] The Ecuadorian gunboat opened fire on Villar, keeping its distance while doing shots for elevation, but the Peruvian destroyer returned fire for the duration of the chase, which was ended by the Peruvians when the Calderon took refuge in the channels. The Calderon was unharmed in the skirmish and according to Ecuador, the Peruvian Villar suffered damages, an allegation that has always been refuted by Perú.[3] However, this event had no influence over the general outcome of the war as Puerto Bolivar was lost to Peruvian troops only two days later.

Present day

Today, the Ecuadorian Navy is a compact, efficient and well-balanced force. However, limited funds hinder any major acquisitions and the chances of maintaining a strong force within the Pacific Ocean. Since introduction of a restructuring program within the Armed Forces (PATRIA I), the Navy's structure became simplified. It supervises the Pacific Coast and Galápagos Islands as one naval zone. Most seagoing assets are based at Guayaquil.

Active ships

Currently the Navy consists of the following vessels:

VesselOriginTypeClassIn service[4] Notes
Training ship (1 in service)
Sail training shipsteel-hulled barqueAs an ambassador of its country, the Guayas is a participant in tall ship regattas. By the end of 2008 the Guayas had visited 60 harbours in 25 countries and covered about 340,000 nautical miles (630,000 km).
Submarines (2 in service)
BAE Shyri (S101)Diesel-electric submarineType 209/1300[5]
BAE Huancavilca (S102)Diesel-electric submarineType 209/1300On September 16, 2011, the submarine was sent to the ASMAR shipyard in Chile for modernization, which was completed in 2014.[6] [7]
Guided missile frigates (2 in service)
guided missile frigateAcquired from Chile in March, 2008.
guided missile frigateExtensively refitted between April 2004 and December 2005. Acquired from Chile in March, 2008.[8]
Guided missile corvettes (6 in service)
BAE Esmeraldas (CM-11)guided missile corvetteEsmeraldas-classRefitted in 2006 under the Esmeraldas program.[9]
BAE Manabí (CM-12)guided missile corvetteEsmeraldas-classModernised, returned to fleet 2018.
BAE Los Rios (CM-13)guided missile corvetteEsmeraldas-classModernised, returned to fleet 2018.[10]
BAE El Oro (CM-14)guided missile corvetteEsmeraldas-classRefitted in 2008 under the Esmeraldas program.
BAE Galápagos (CM-15)guided missile corvetteEsmeraldas-classRefitted in 2010 under the Esmeraldas program.
BAE Loja (CM-16)guided missile corvetteEsmeraldas-classModernised, returned to fleet 2019.
Offshore Patrol Vessel (2 in service)
LAE Isla San Cristobal (LG-30)Offshore Patrol VesselDamen Stan patrol vessel 5009 class
LAE Isla Isabela (LG-31)Offshore Patrol VesselDamen Stan patrol vessel 5009 class
Fast attack craft (3 in service)
LAE Quito (LM-31)Fast attack craftTNC 45 Seawolf classModernised
LAE Guayaquil (LM-32)Fast attack craftTNC 45 Seawolf classModernised
LAE Cuenca (LM-33)Fast attack craftTNC 45 Seawolf classModernised
Auxiliaries (12 in service)
BAE Huacolpo (TR-61)Cargo shipCargo - Hazard B classex-Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999
BAE Calicuchima (TR-62)ammunition supply shipKintebury classex-RMAS Throsk (A379)[11]
BAE Atahualpa (TR-63)water harbour tankerBrenta typeex-A 5356 Basento
BAE Quisquis (TR-64)water harbour tankerWaterfall classex-Waterside (Y-20)[12]
BAE Taurus (TR-65)coastal oil tankerTaurus classCivilian ship bought in 1987. Built by Astinave, Guayaquil. Currently status is unknown.
BAE Chimborazo (RA-70)Fleet TugEx-[13]
BAE Sangay (RB-72)TugboatYTM class tug
BAE Cotopaxi (RB-73)Tugboat
BAE Wolf (RB-74)Tugboat
BAE Iliniza (RB-75)TugboatYTM class tug
BAE Altar (RB-76)TugboatYTM class tug
BAE Quilotoa (RB-78)TugboatYTM class tug
Scientific research vessels (2 in service)
BAE Orion (BI-91)Oceanographic research shipOrion class
LAE SiriusOceanographic research shipSirius class[14]

Naval weapon systems

NameOriginTypeVersionUsed byNotes
Naval artillery
Dual-purpose naval gun Mark VI
Dual-purpose naval gun 76/62 Compact
Oto Melara Twin 40 Compact Gun Twin 40L70
Phalanx Block 0
Two 35mm autocannon TNC 45 Seawolf class
Anti-ship missiles
MM40 Block II
MM38
Condell class frigate
Esmeraldas-class
TNC 45 Seawolf class FAC
Mk 2 TNC 45 Seawolf class FAC
Surface-to-air missile
Albatros Aspide MK-1A
Mistral
Anti-submarine torpedo
Mod 5A
A244/S
Torpedoes
533 mm heavyweight torpedo [15]
533 mm heavyweight torpedo A184 Mod 3
533 mm heavyweight torpedo SST-4 Mod 0
533 mm heavyweight torpedo AEG SUT 264
533 mm heavyweight torpedo DM2A4

Naval aviation

The Ecuadorian Naval Aviation (Aviación Naval Ecuatoriana) was formed in 1967 with fixed-wing aircraft and received some helicopters in 1973. It remains the least effective section of the navy; capable of performing limited maritime patrol missions, it consists of a fixed wing and a rotary wing element. Aircraft are based at Base Aérea Simón Bolívar in Guayaquil and the Eloy Alfaro Air Base in Manta. The most recent acquisitions of the ANE are two Heron 1 and four Searcher Mk. III[16] from Israel. These have increased the Navy's coastal surveillance capacity significantly.

Active aircraft

Currently the Navy consists of the following aircraft:

AircraftOriginTypeVersionIn serviceNotes
Maritime patrol aircraft
Beechcraft Super King AirMaritime surveillance aircraftCATPASS 250MP3Two units delivered in January and June 1997 respectively. CATPASS conversion includes a bottom-mounted surface-search radar, FLIR and ESM provisions.
CASA CN-235 PersuaderMaritime patrol aircraftCN-235-100 MP Persuader
CN-235-300 MP Persuader
1
1
Maritime patrol/multipurpose transport aircraft equipped with the FITS system.
Helicopters
Bell 206 JetRanger
Bell TH-57 SeaRanger
Utility helicopter / Training helicopter206B
TH-57A
3
3
Bell 230Radar surveillance helicopter230T1Two units delivered in total. One unit crashed at sea in 2009.
Bell 430Utility helicopter4303Two units delivered on August 1, 2010. The first 430 received a Garmin GNS400 GPS coupled to the autopilot. Both were equipped with a Honeywell Mark XXII EGPWS, right hand sliding door, hoist provisions and some maintenance items.[17] Two units delivered on September 11, 2014. 1 crashed in 2024.[18]
Trainer Aircraft
Beechcraft T-34 Turbo MentorAdvanced trainerT-34C-15
ENAER T-35 PillánBasic trainerT-35B4
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
IAI HeronMALE UAVHeron I2[19]
IAI SearcherReconnaissance UAVSearcher III4[20]
Utility Aircraft
Beechcraft Super King AirLight transportB200
B300
B350
2
1
1
Beechcraft King AirLight transportC90A2
Cessna 172Liaison aircraftSP2

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard (Cuerpo de Guardacostas de la Armada) became fully operational in 1980. Their mission is to control maritime activities on national territory, including all river zones. The objectives are internal security, protection of human life at sea, and environmental protection. It consists of around 250 men and 30 major as well as 40 smaller modern patrol vessels.[21] In 2011 Ecuador ordered four 26.5m (86.9feet) patrol vessels based on the Damen Stan 2600 design for the Coast Guard.

Marines

The Naval Infantry Corps (Cuerpo de Infanteria de Marina) was formed on 12 November 1962. It maintains a strength of around 1700[22] marines, with their HQ in Guayaquil. The units are individually spread across the naval coast of Ecuador and are equipped with infantry support weapons, including 60 mm and 81 mm mortars, 106 mm recoilless rifles (RCLs) and Humvees. However, it lacks amphibious assault and sealift capacity. The Ecuadorian Marines are to maintain a high level of alert in order to execute special operations in difficult territory as well as to provide a fast response to counter amphibious incursions. Structure:

NameTypeCaliberOriginIn serviceNotes
HK21E Standard general-purpose machine gun.
A2/A4 Standard assault rifle.
A1 Special Forces.
Special Forces.
Special Forces.
Standard pistol.
Hand grenade
M26A1/M61
Red dot sight
Used by special forces.
Used by special forces.
Grenade launcher coupled in M4 carbines.
Infantry mortar
81 mm
81 mm
60 mm Light mortar, used by special operations units.
Recoilless rifle
105 mm
90 mm
Rocket-propelled grenade
40 mm
Man-portable air-defense system
Some mounted on Humvee and truck platform.
Howitzer
Towed 105mm Howitzer
Light utility vehicle
4×4 30 Around 30 humvees are in use within the Naval Infantry Corps.[23] [24] [25]
Military truck
6×6 Donated by the US NAS program in 2003.[26]
6x6

Ranks

See main article: Military ranks of Ecuador.

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Military Balance 2021. International Institute for Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 25 February 2021. Routledge. London. 410. 9781032012278.
  2. Web site: Parte oficial peruano sobre el Combate Naval de Jambeli . Wikisource . 26 October 2010 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120127144750/http://es.wikisource.org/wiki/Parte_oficial_peruano_sobre_el_combate_naval_de_jambeli . 27 January 2012 . dmy-all .
  3. Nikolay Mityukov. "Zagadka boya v prolivye Hambeli" (Mystery of a skirmish in Jambeli channel), Tekhnika i Vooruzhenie 10/2005, p. 28-31
  4. Web site: Comandancia de Escuadra . Ecuadorian Navy website . 14 October 2010 .
  5. http://www.elciudadano.gob.ec/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36938:termino-proceso-de-modernizacion-del-submarino-shyri-en-los-astilleros-de-chile&catid=40:actualidad&Itemid=63{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} in Spanish
  6. Web site: Armada de Chile | Submarino ecuatoriano recaló en Asmar Talcahuano . 2012-01-16 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120107000235/http://www.armada.cl/submarino-ecuatoriano-recalo-en-asmar-talcahuano/prontus_armada/2011-11-16/164805.html . 7 January 2012 . dmy-all . In Spanish
  7. News: BAE Huancavilca SS-102 termino su modernizacion en ASMAR (Chile). www.elSnorkel.com. 2018-05-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516104004/https://www.elsnorkel.com/2014/09/bae-huancavilca-ss-102-termino-su.html. 16 May 2018. live. dmy-all.
  8. Web site: FM - 01 Presidente Alfaro . Ecuadorian Navy website . 14 October 2010 .
  9. Web site: CM 11 Esmeraldas . Ecuadorian Navy website . 14 October 2010 .
  10. Web site: Ecuadorian Navy rejoins 'Unitas LIX' exercise . 17 July 2019.
  11. Web site: TR - 62 Calicuchima . Ecuadorian Navy website . 14 October 2010 .
  12. Web site: TR - 64 Quisquis . Ecuadorian Navy website . 14 October 2010 .
  13. Web site: RA - 70 R. Chimborazo . Ecuadorian Navy website . 14 October 2010 .
  14. Web site: L.A.E SIRIUS se incorporó a la Fuerza Naval . Ecuadorian Navy website . 11 October 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111005203851/http://www.armada.mil.ec/276 . 5 October 2011 . dmy-all .
  15. Web site: Microsoft Word - FUERZA OPERATIVA.docx. armada.mil.ec. 9 May 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923173732/http://www.armada.mil.ec/wp-content/uploads/Books/fuerza-operativa/index.html#9/z. 23 September 2015. dmy-all.
  16. Web site: Seis aviones no tripulados ingresan a filas navales . https://archive.today/20110719134053/http://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/policiales/noticia/archive/policiales/2009/06/11/Seis-aviones-no-tripulados--ingresan-a-filas-navales--.aspx . dead . 19 July 2011 . El Telègrafo . 30 October 2010 .
  17. Web site: Ecuadorian Navy receives delivery of two Bell 430's from URS .
  18. Web site: 2024-05-06 . Armada confirma muerte de piloto y copiloto que iban en helicóptero accidentado en La Frutilla, Santa Elena . 2024-05-16 . El Universo . es.
  19. Web site: HERON 1 . IAI Website . 30 October 2010 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100908083156/http://www.iai.co.il/18900-16382-en/default.aspx . 8 September 2010 . dmy-all .
  20. Web site: SEARCHER Mk III . IAI Website . 30 October 2010 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100903065601/http://www.iai.co.il/18894-15742-en/default.aspx . 3 September 2010 . dmy-all .
  21. Web site: Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's - IHS. www.janes.com. 9 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20090721170617/http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Naval-Construction-and-Retrofit-Markets/Ecuador-Navy-Ecuador.html. 21 July 2009. dmy-all.
  22. Web site: Archived copy . 2010-04-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090327003854/http://orbat.com/site/almanac/2004/Ecuador2004.pdf . 27 March 2009 . dmy-all .
  23. Web site: Modelarstwo Plastikowe • (HUMVEE) /Zakończony/ M998 MAPATS Ekwador (1:72) . Modelwork.pl . 2013-03-15.
  24. Web site: Guнa: HUMVEE - HMMWV (USO MILITAR) - MercadoLibre . Guia.mercadolibre.com.ar . 2008-01-30 . 2013-03-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120307203852/http://guia.mercadolibre.com.ar/humvee-hmmwv-uso-militar-22894-VGP . 2012-03-07 . dead .
  25. Web site: Country Overview Just the Facts - U.S. military aid to Latin America and the Caribbean . Justf.org . 2013-03-15.
  26. Web site: Publicado por Intelligence, Defense, Security Service . Intelligence, Defense and Security: ECUADOR RECIBE DONACION DE CAMIONES MILITARES DE EEUU . Intelligenceservicechile.blogspot.com . 2010-09-03 . 2013-03-15.