Mexican Navy
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2008-07-17T04:53:20Z
Homan05
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/* Future Aircraft */
{{Mexican military|Military of Mexico}}
The '''Mexican Navy''' ('''Armada de México''') is a branch of the [[Military of Mexico|Mexican Military]] responsible for conducting [[navy|naval]] operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order".<ref>[http://www.semar.gob.mx/informes/politicas_armada/parte_uno/prefacio.htm "Mission and objectives"] {{es_icon}}</ref> The Navy consists of over 37,000 men and women, over 589 ships, and about 100 aircraft.<ref>[http://www.semar.gob.mx/informes/rendicion_de_cuentas_06/3ra-Etapa.pdf] Rendición de cuentas SEMAR 2006 página 40</ref><ref>[http://www.semar.gob.mx/aeronaval/aeronautica.html "Material Aereo"](outdated page) {{es_icon}}</ref> The Navy maintains a constant modernization program, in order to upgrade its response capability.
Given Mexico's huge mass of water and extensive coastline, the importance of its navy cannot be overstated. Perhaps its most important current on-going mission is to protect [[PEMEX]]'s [[oil well]]s in [[Campeche]] over the [[Mexican Gulf]]. Another important task of the Mexican Navy is to help people in hurricane relief operations, applying "Plan Marina" (Navy plan) to help affected people in the event of natural disasters.
== Organization ==
[[Image:Naval Jack of Mexico.svg|thumb|Mexican Navy Jack]]
The commander in chief of all military forces is the [[President of Mexico]]. Day-to-day control of the Navy is the Navy Secretary (currently [[Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza]]).
The Navy is divided into three main forces:
*Fuerza Naval del Golfo (Naval Force of the [[Gulf of Mexico|Gulf]])
*Fuerza Naval del Pacifico (Naval Force of the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]])
*Fuerza Aeronaval (Navy Air Force)
Officers are trained at the Mexican Naval Academy, called the "[[Heroica Escuela Naval Militar]]" ("Heroic Military Naval School"), located in [[Antón Lizardo]], [[Veracruz]], [[Mexico]].
== Modernization budget ==
The anual Navy's budget has a 3 to 1 proportion of the national budget to the Army & Air Force versus Navy. For the year 2007, the Army got 3 billion dollars budget, versus one billion dollars for the the Navy. The Navy has a reputation for being a well-run and well organized outfit. This reputation allows for a close relationship with the U.S. Navy, as evidenced by the procurement of numerous former USN ships.
The Secretary of the Navy, Admiral [[Francisco Saynez Mendoza]], announced on October 1, 2007, detailed plans to upgrade and modernise the country's naval capabilities. On the following day, ''[[La Jornada]]'' newspaper from Mexico City, published the disclosure of the Mexican Navy plans, which are among others, to build eleven oceanic patrol vessels ([[OPV]]) with length of 86 meters, 1680 tons and each housing a [[Eurocopter Panther]] helicopter as well as small high speed interception boats. The budget for this project is above $200 million USD.
Another project is to build twelve [[Combat Boat 90|CB 90 HMN]] high speed (50 knots) interception boats under license by a Sweden boat company to the Mexican Navy. Also, a number of fully equipped planes for surveillance and maritime patrol are being considered. Combinations of options and development are being defined.
== Naval Infantry ==
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Marines in tRAINING.JPG|thumb|300xp|Mexican Marines in training]] -->
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Mexican Marine.JPG|thumb|400xp|Mexican Marines]] -->
[[Image:Dauphin Panther (Mexican Navy).jpg|thumb|350xp|A Dauphin Panther helicopter used by the Mexican marines]]
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:FES.JPG|thumb|300xp|FES]] -->
The Mexican Marines consists 8,000 of a paratroop brigade of three battalions, a battalion attached to the [[Presidential Guard]] Brigade, three battalions with headquarters in Mexico City, Acapulco, and Veracruz, and thirty-five independent companies and detachments distributed among ports, bases, and zonal headquarters. The marines are responsible for port security, protection of the ten-kilometer coastal fringe, and patrolling major waterways. In addition to having light arms, the marines are equipped with 105 mm towed howitzers, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars, and 106 mm recoilless rifles, as well as [[Pegaso BMR]] VAP-3550 and [[BTR-60]] amphibious vehicles. The marines riverine duties have been increasingly taken over by the [[Mexican Army]]. More recently the Navy has ceded most of its riverine responsibilities (formally handled by the Marines) to the Army, and has reduced the size of the Marine force, putting them back aboard ships where they play a vital role in drug interdiction and boarding of suspect vessels in territorial waters.
* Infantry Weapon: [[M-16 rifle]] , [[FN P90]]
* Artillery: [[OTO Melara Mod 56]]
* Land Vehicles: [[Pegaso BMR]], [[BTR-60]]/[[BTR-70]]
===Navy Special Forces===
*[[Fuerzas Especiales]] (FES)
*[[Ixtoc-Alfa]]
== Missiles ==
*[[9K38 Igla|SA-18 Grouse]]: Surface to Air Missiles
*[[Gabriel missile]]: Anti-Ship Missile
<!--Reference is required over rumors: Note: It is rumored that Mexico has the ability to make its own missiles. -->
The Mexican Navy initiated studies to develop and construct its first missile, according to a May 2005 interview with the undersecretary of the Navy, Armando Sanchez; he explained that the missile should should have an average range of 12 to 15 kilometers and target enemy ships and aircraft.
The undersecretary added that they already have the solid propellant, and the basic design of the missile. All aspects relative to their fuselage were solved as well as the launch platforms. The Mexican Navy is currently developing the software to direct the missile to its target. As of May 2008, the project is reported to be 40% complete.<ref>[http://www.semar.gob.mx/informes/folleto/septimo_ob2.htm Naval missile] (in Spanish)</ref>
Currently, the Mexican missile ships make use of the Israeli [[Gabriel missile|Gabriel MK II missile]], which has an average range of 15 kilometers and targets enemy ships and aircraft.<ref>[http://www.defesanet.com.br/notas/ehrlich_armada.htm Gabriel missile in use by the Mexican Navy] (in Spanish</ref>
Mexican oil rigs are also protected with [[9K38 Igla|Igla]], a portable Russian anti-aircraft missile system.<ref>[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-972465_ITM Iglas missile system on Mexican oil rigs]</ref>
== Equipment ==
The Navy consists of surface ships and some aircraft.
=== Surface equipment ===
==== Destroyers ====
[[Image:ARM Netzahualcóyotl.jpg|thumb|300px|ARM Netzahualcóyotl]]
* Quetzalcoatl Class
** [[ARM Netzahualcoyotl (D-102)]]
* Manuel Azueta Class
** [[ARM Manuel Azueta (D-111)]]
==== Frigates ====
* [[Bronstein class frigate|Bravo Class (Ex- US Bronstein class frigate)]]
** [[USS McCloy (FF-1038)|ARM Bravo]] (F-201)
** [[USS Bronstein (FF-1037)|ARM Galeana]] (F-202)
* [[Knox class frigate|Allende Class (Ex- US Knox class frigate)]]
** [[ARM Allende]] (F-211)
** [[ARM Abasolo]] (F-212)
** [[ARM Victoria]] (F-213)
** [[ARM Mina]] (F-214)
==== Amphibious ships ====
[[Image:20040726 03.jpg|thumb|300px|ARM Huracan, missile boat.]]
* Panuco Class
** [[ARM Manzanillo]] (A-402)
* Papaloapan Class
** [[ARM Papaloapan]] (A-411)
** [[ARM Usumacinta]] (A-412)
==== [[Missile boats]] ====
* [[Saar 4.5|Huracan Class]]
** [[ARM Huracan]] (A-301, formerly [[INS Aliya]])
** [[ARM Tormenta]] (A-302, formerly [[INS Geula]])
====[[OPV (naval)|Offshore Patrol Vessels]]====
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
[[Image:ARM Armelnath 3.jpg|thumb|250px|Mexican Navy patrol boat]]
* Valle class
**ARM Barrera
**ARM Escobedo
**ARM Doblado
**ARM Santos
**ARM Alvarez
**ARM Zamora
**ARM Farias
**ARM Zarco
**ARM Vallarta
**ARM Ortega
**ARM Matamoros
* Uribe class
**ARM Uribe
**ARM Azueta
**ARM Baranda
**ARM Breton
**ARM Blanco
**ARM Monasterio
{{col-break}}
* Holzinger class
**ARM Holzinger
**ARM Godinez
**ARM DE LA Vega
**ARM Berriozabal
*[[Sierra class]]
**ARM Sierra (PO-141)
**ARM Juarez (PO-142)
**ARM Prieto (PO-143)
**[[ARM Romero]] (PO-144)
* [[Durango class]]
**ARM Durango (PO-151)
**[[ARM Sonora]] (PO-152)
**ARM Guanajuato (PO-153)
**ARM Veracruz (PO-154)
* [[Oaxaca class]]
**ARM Oaxaca (PO-161)
**[[ARM Baja California]] (PO-162)
{{col-end}}
==== Other ships====
The Mexican Navy counts with 60 smaller patrol boats and 32 auxiliary ships. The Mexican Navy acquired 40 units, designated [[Combat Boat 90|CB 90 HMN]], between 1999 and 2001 and obtained a production license in 2002 allowing further units to be manufactured in Mexico.
For the year 2008 budget, the Mexican Congress approved a $15 million USD funds to build only 17 out of 60 combat boats requested; these ships, designated [[Combat Boat 90|CB 90 HMN]], are to increase its fast boat fleet. Additional budgets will be awarded each passing year.<ref>It was published within the Chapter 13 of the SEMAR 2008 final budget, by the SHCP, the Mexican finance ministry for this period.</ref> In total, the Mexican Navy has over 589 operational ships.<ref>[http://www.semar.gob.mx/informes/rendicion_de_cuentas_06/3ra-Etapa.pdf] Rendición de cuentas SEMAR 2006 página 40</ref>
A project under code name "Bulom", was started by the Mexican Navy to replace existing U.S. Navy ships in the Mexican fleet with a new multi-purpose ship. The new ship is a compact [[frigate]] and is capable of carrying a fully loaded helicopter on its landing pad and house it internally.<ref> [http://www.semar.gob.mx/informes/nueva_realidad_2004/pag_20.htm Buque logístico multipropósito] (in Spanish).</ref> These multipurpose ships will have a length of 436.35 ft (133 mts), beam 65.6 ft (20 mts), draft 9.84 ft (3 mts), ballasted 19.68 ft (6 mts). Storage for small size fast boats, procurement to other ships, both for amphibious assaults and logistical support.<ref> [http://www.semar.gob.mx/boletin/2006/bol_225_06.htm "Mexican navy 2006 activities official report"] </ref>
=== Aircraft ===
The aircraft quantities are approximate.<ref>[http://www.scramble.nl/mx.htm Mexican Navy Aircraft]</ref><ref>[http://www.aviationnow.com/shownews/02fidae/special.htm Mexican Navy's new purchases]</ref>
{|| class="prettytable" style="font-size:100%;"
|-
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Version
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|In service <ref>[http://www.semar.gob.mx/informes/rendicion_de_cuentas_06/3ra-Etapa.pdf] Rendición de cuentas SEMAR 2006 página 42</ref>
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| '''Fixed wing'''
|-----
| [[Antonov]] || {{RUS}} || Utility transport || [[Antonov An-32|An-32B]] || 6 || About to be retired
|-----
| [[de Havilland]] || {{CAN}} || Utility</br>Utility transport || [[de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo|DHC-5 Buffalo]]</br>[[Bombardier Dash 8|DH-8]] || 1</br>1 ||
|-----
|| [[Aero Commander|Turbo Commander]] || {{USA}} || Transport || [[Aero Commander 500#Variants|980 Turbo]] || 4 ||
|-----
| [[Cessna]] || {{USA}} || Transport || [[Cessna 182|182]]</br>[[Cessna 206|206]]</br>[[Cessna 210|210]]</br>[[Cessna 337|337]]</br>[[Cessna 402|402]]</br>[[Cessna 404|404]]</br>[[Cessna 441|441]] || 10</br>11</br>3</br>3</br>4</br>4</br>2 || Many of these Cessnas were seized in antidrug operations
|-----
| [[Beechcraft]] || {{USA}} || Transport || [[Beechcraft Baron|Baron 55]] </br>[[Beechcraft Bonanza|Bonanza 33]] || 5</br>5 ||
|-----
| [[Rockwell International|Rockwell]] || {{USA}} || Transport || 695 || 1 ||
|-----
| [[Learjet]] || {{USA}} || VIP transport || [[Learjet 25|LJ25]]</br>[[Learjet 31|LJ31]]</br>[[Learjet 60|LJ60]] || 1</br>1</br>1 ||
|-----
| [[Gulfstream Aerospace|Gulfstream]] || {{USA}} || VIP transport || [[Gulfstream III]] || 2 ||
|-----
| [[Grumman]] || {{USA}} || Surveillance/AEW || [[E-2C Hawkeye|E-2C Hawkeye]] || 3 || Purchased from Israel, overhauled and delivered in 2004.
|-----
| [[CASA]] || {{ESP}} || Surveillance || [[CASA C-212|C-212]] || 8 ||
|-----
| [[Lancair]] || {{USA}} || Transport</br>Training || IV-P</br>Super ES||3</br>2|| Currently building two more IV-P and two Legacy 2000
|-----
| [[Sabreliner]] || {{USA}} || Transport || 60 || 1 ||
|-----
| [[Maule Air]] || {{USA}} || Training || MX-7-235 || 14 ||
|-----
| [[Valmet]]|| {{FIN}} || Training || [[Aermacchi M-290 RediGO|L-90]] || 7 || Turboprop engine: 313kW Allison 250-B17F
|-----
<!--No references Mexican Navy has Aermacchi 60 or 290: | [[Aermacchi]] || {{ITA}} || Training || [[Aermacchi AL-60|AL-60]]</br>[[Aermacchi M-290 RediGO|M-290]] || 2</br>20 || May carry a HMP-250 machine gun pod and/or a Lau-7H rocket laucher, if required.-->
|-----
| [[Moravan]] || {{CZE}}|| Training || [[Zlin Z 142|Zlin Z-242L]] || 10 || Acquired in 2002<ref>[http://www.zlinaircraft.cz/aircraft.html Moravan in the Armada de México]</ref>
|}
{|| class="prettytable" style="font-size:100%;"
|-
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Version
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|In service <ref>[http://www.semar.gob.mx/informes/rendicion_de_cuentas_06/3ra-Etapa.pdf] Rendición de cuentas SEMAR 2006 página 42</ref>
! style="text-align: center; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| '''Helicopters'''
|-----
| [[Eurocopter]] || {{EU}} || Search & rescue</br>Combat || [[Eurocopter Fennec|Fennec]]</br>[[Eurocopter Panther|Panther]] || 4</br>2 || Armed with [[gatling gun]]s and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations. Option for 8 more Panthers.
|-----
| [[Bölkow Bo 105]] || {{GER}} || Surveillance || EC-Super Five || 11 || Armed with [[gatling gun]]s and/or rocket launchers when required.
|-----
| [[Robinson Helicopter|Robinson]] || {{USA}} || Training || [[Robinson R-44|R-44]]</br>[[Robinson R-22|R-22]] || 1</br>2 ||
|-----
| [[MD Helicopters|MD]] || {{USA}} || Training || [[MD-500]] || 4 ||
|-----
| [[Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant|Mil]] || {{RUS}} || Transport || [[Mi-2]]</br></br>[[Mi-8]]M</br>[[Mi-17]] || 4</br>3</br>21 || Mi-17 armed with [[gatling gun]]s and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
|-----
| [[Agusta]] || {{ITA}} || Transport || [[Agusta A109|A109 K2]]</br>[[Agusta A109|A109 E]] || 1</br>1 ||
|-----
| [[MD Helicopters|MD]] || {{USA}} || Combat || [[MD-500]]</br>[[MD-902]] || 19</br>12 || Side-mounted General Dynamics 0.5in multi-barrel [[GAU-19|GAU-19/A]] rotary machine-guns and M2 pods containing seven 2.75in rockets each, for anti-narcotic operations.<ref>[http://www.aviationnow.com/shownews/02fidae/special.htm Armamento de los MD-902] en Inglés)</ref>
|}
==== Future Aircraft ====
* The [[Mérida Initiative]]
:Included in this package are eight [[Bell 412|Bell 412 EP]] helicopters for the [[Mexican Air Force]] and two [[Cessna 208]] for the Mexican Navy for naval patrol operations reinforcement. The U.S. Congress and Senate approved this package in June [[2008]]
* Mexican Navy's own purchases
:To fortify their war against the drug cartels, SEMAR officials haved announced the purchase of two Sikorsky helicopters and four [[C-135]] transport and surveillance aircraft.<ref>[http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/12/23/index.php?section=politica&article=018n2pol Adquirirá Semar aeronaves para combate al narco]</ref>. In other purchases, SEMAR have said they will purchase six [[CASA CN-235]] from [[Spain]]<ref>http://blog.elgrancapitan.org/?p=586</ref>.
=== Land vehicles ===
* [[Gama Goat]]
* [[Ural-4320]]
* [[BTR-70]]/[[BTR-60]]
* [[Pegaso BMR]]
*Other minor transport vehicles as buses, trucks, pick-ups, and cars.
==See also==
*[[Naval ranks and insignia of Mexico]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://bp1.blogger.com/_Ov8q5T5kYx8/RyzDEict91I/AAAAAAAAAAg/J2NZqG3h3VI/s1600-h/BULOMDESIGN.JPG|Bulom Design]
* [http://bp1.blogger.com/_Ov8q5T5kYx8/Ryzteict92I/AAAAAAAAAAo/jULgxZhtIQQ/s1600-h/misilnavalmex.JPG|Mexican Naval Missile Picture]
* [http://bp3.blogger.com/_Ov8q5T5kYx8/Rz5pHDdXrXI/AAAAAAAAABQ/BROfjCYSHjA/s1600-h/fotomisilnavalmexicano.jpg|Mexican Naval Missile Picture2]
* [http://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/87-91.aspx|Mexican Naval Missile Picture3]
[[Category:Military of Mexico|Navy]]
[[Category:Navies by country|Mexico]]
[[Category:Mexican Navy]]
[[es:Armada de México]]
[[nl:Mexicaanse Marine]]