Mexican Navy

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Mexican Navy (Armada de México)
Active	January 19 1821
Country	United Mexican States
Size	56,000 personnel
Engagements	Mexican Revolution, Mexican-American War, World War II, Mexican Drug War
Commanders
Current commander	Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza

The Mexican Navy (Armada de México or SEMAR) is a branch of the Mexican Military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order".^[1] The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women, over 189 ships, and about 130 aircraft.^[2][3] The Navy maintains a constant modernization program, in order to upgrade its response capability, although its programs are heavily hindered by the lack of funds due to variable budgets and lack of continuity.

Given Mexico's large mass of water (49,510 km²) and extensive coastline (9,330 km), the navy's duties are of great importance. Perhaps its most important current on-going missions are the war on drugs and protecting PEMEX's oil wells in Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico. Another important task of the Mexican Navy is to help people in hurricane relief operations and other natural disasters.

Contents 1 History of the Armada 1.1 Historical Ships 2 Structure 2.1 Organization 2.2 Training and Education 3 Modernization and Budget 3.1 Ships 3.2 Missiles 3.3 Radar Modernization 4 Naval Infantry 4.1 Mexican Naval Infantry 5 Present Fleet 5.1 Destroyers 5.2 Frigates 5.3 Amphibious ships 5.4 Missile boats 5.5 Offshore Patrol Vessels 5.6 Coastal patrol ships 5.6.1 Other ships 6 Aircraft 6.1 Future Aircraft 7 References 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] History of the Armada

The Mexican Navy has its origins with the creation of the Ministry of War in the year 1821. Since that year until 1939 it appeared jointly with the Army in the organic ministry. Ever since its declaration of independence from Spain on September 1821, through the first decades of the 19th century, Mexico found itself in a constant state of war, mostly against Spain who had not recognized its independence. Therefore the priority to purchase its first fleet from the U.S.A. in order to displace the last remaining Spanish forces from its coasts.^[4]

The Mexican Navy has participated in many naval battles to protect and defend Mexico's interests. Some of the most important battles were:

Attempts by Spain to reconquer Mexico

• Take over of the San Juan De Ulua fort (1821-1825)
• The invasion of Cabo Rojo (1829)
• Battle of Mariel

The first French intervention in Mexico (The 'Pastry War') (November 1838 - March 1839)

• The entire Armada was captured at Veracruz

Yucatan Independence(1841—1848)

• Naval Battle of Campeche

The Mexican–American War (1846–48)

The second French intervention (1862-1867)

The Mexican Revolution (1910-1919)

• Battle of Topolobampo

Second invasion by the United States (April 9, 1914-November 23, 1914)

• United States occupation of Veracruz

[edit] Historical Ships

Schooner Anáhuac Schooner Iguala Cutter Campechana Cutter Chalco Cutter Chapala Cutter Orizaba Cutter Texcoco Cutter Zumpango Cutter Papaloapan Cutter Tampico Cutter Tlaxcalteca Cutter Tuxpan Mexican Congress (previously called Navío Asia and San Jerónimo) Brigantine Constante Brigantine Vicente Guerrero Steamer Guadalupe Steamer Gunboat Libertad

Steamer Gunboat Independencia Steamer Guerra Demócrata Gunboat Democráta Gunboat México Corvette Escuela Zaragoza Schoolship Escuela Yucatán Pontón Chetumal Gunboat Tampico Gunboat Veracruz Gunboat Nicolás Bravo Transport de Guerra Progreso Transport Vicente Guerrero Gunboat Agua Prieta Anáhuac Auxiliry Ship Zaragoza II School Ship Velero Cuauhtémoc

[edit] Structure

[edit] Organization

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)
• Fuerza Naval del Pacifico (Naval Force of the Pacific)
• Fuerza Aeronaval (Naval Aviation)

Officers are trained at the Mexican Naval Academy, called the "Heroica Escuela Naval Militar" ("Heroic Military Naval School"), located in Antón Lizardo, Veracruz, Mexico.

[edit] Training and Education

The Navy offers several options for graduate studies in their educational institutions:

Heroica Escuela Naval Militar

It is the school where future officers are trained for the General Corps of the Navy. Candidates can enter upon completing high school. Upon completion of studies, graduates obtain the degree of Corbeta Lieutenant and the title of Naval Science Engineer.

Naval Medical School

This school Located in Mexico City, offers a career in medicine. Officers are trained with skills for the prevention and health care of naval personnel. By adopting a professional examination, graduates can obtain the degree of Naval Military Lieutenant Corvette.

Naval Engineering School

In the Naval Engineering School, officers are responsible for the preventive and corrective maintenance of systems and electronic equipment installed on ships and installations of the Mexican Navy. This school offers career of Electronic Engineering and Naval Communications. It is located between the town of Mata Grape and Anton Lizardo, 32 km from the port of Veracruz.

Naval Nursing School

Here the time to achieve a nursing degree lasts eight semesters. Officers are trained with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable them to assist medical personnel in caring for patients in hospitals, sanatoriums, clinics, health sections on land, aboard ships and at The Naval Medical Center.

Naval Aviation School

The Naval Aviation School trains pilots for the Mexican Navy as well as staff from the Federal Preventive Police and Naval personnel from various countries of Central America. This school is located on Veracruz.^[5]

Search, Rescue and Diving School

Located in Acapulco, members of The Navy are trained for marine search, rescue and diving. It also trains state police officers and firefighters.

[edit] Modernization and Budget

The annual 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 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.

[edit] 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 six 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 CB 90 HMN high speed (50 knots) interception boats under license by a Swedish 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.

[edit] 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 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 computer software to direct the missile to its target. As of July 2008, the project is reported to be 80% complete.^[6]

[edit] Radar Modernization

In 2009, the Mexican Navy will begin operating a batch of new MPQ-64 Sentinel radars in the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico. The radar network was installed in 2007 for a trial phase while military personnel were trained to get familiar with the system. The new installations will work together with combat surface vessels that patrol the area.^[7][8]

[edit] Naval Infantry

[edit] Mexican Naval Infantry

• The Mexican Naval Infantry Corps of 8,000 consists 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, and 2 Special Forces groups.^[9] The Naval Infantry are responsible for port security, protection of the ten-kilometer coastal fringe, and patrolling major waterways. More recently the Navy has ceded most of its riverine responsibilities (formally handled by the Naval Infantry security units) to the Mexican Army, and has reduced the size of the Naval Infantry force, putting them back aboard ships where they play a vital role in drug interdiction and boarding of suspect vessels in territorial waters.

[edit] Present Fleet

The Navy consists of surface ships and some aircraft.

[edit] Destroyers

• Quetzalcoatl Class Ex US-Navy Gearing-FRAM II class.
  • ARM Netzahualcoyotl (D-102) (1982) - Present
• Manuel Azueta Class
  • ARM Manuel Azueta (D-111) (1973) - Present

[edit] Frigates

• Bravo Class
  • ARM Bravo (F-201) (1993) - Present
  • ARM Galeana (F-202) (1993) - Present
• Allende Class frigate
  • ARM Allende (F-211) (1997) - Present
  • ARM Abasolo (F-212) (1997)- Present
  • ARM Victoria (F-213) (2000) - Present
  • ARM Mina (F-214) (2002) - Present

[edit] Amphibious ships

• Panuco Class
  • ARM Manzanillo (A-402) (1971) - Present
• Papaloapan Class
  • ARM Papaloapan (A-411) (2001) - Present
  • ARM Usumacinta (A-412) (2001) - Present

[edit] Missile boats

• Huracan Class Ex Israeli Navy Aliya class (Saar 4.5).
  • ARM Huracan (A-301) (2004) - Present
  • ARM Tormenta (A-302) (2004) - Present

[edit] Offshore Patrol Vessels

• Valle class Ex US-Navy minesweepers. Bought in 1972 and 1973.
  • ARM Barrera - Active
  • ARM Escobedo - Active
  • ARM Doblado - Active
  • ARM Santos - Active
  • ARM Alvarez - Active
  • ARM Zamora - Active
  • ARM Farias - Active
  • ARM Vallarta - Active
  • ARM Ortega - Active
  • ARM Matamoros - Active

• Uribe class. All the ships of this class were built at Spain in 1982 . Similar to Serviola class used by Spanish Navy.
  • ARM Uribe - Active
  • ARM Azueta - Active
  • ARM Baranda - Active
  • ARM Breton - Active
  • ARM Blanco - Active
  • ARM Monasterio - Active
• Holzinger class. This ships were developed in Mexico based in the Uribe class.
  • ARM Holzinger (1991) - Active
  • ARM Godinez (1991) - Active
  • ARM De La Vega (1994) - Active
  • ARM Berriozabal (1994) - Active
• Sierra class corvettes. This class of ships was developed and built in Mexico.
  • ARM Sierra (PO-141) (1999) - Active
  • ARM Juarez (PO-142) (1999) - Out of Service ^[10]
  • ARM Prieto (PO-143) (1999) - Active
  • ARM Romero (PO-144) (1999) - Active
• Durango class. This class of ships was developed and built in Mexico.
  • ARM Durango (PO-151) (2000) - Active
  • ARM Sonora (PO-152) (2000) - Active
  • ARM Guanajuato (PO-153) (2001) - Active
  • ARM Veracruz (PO-154) (2001) - Active
• Oaxaca class. This class of ships was developed and built in Mexico.
  • ARM Oaxaca (PO-161) (2003) - Active
  • ARM Baja California (PO-162) (2003) - Active

[edit] Coastal patrol ships

Azteca class

Design and built by Vosper Thornycroft with updates by the Mexican Navy Shipyards.

ARM Cordova (PC 202) (1974) ARM Rayón. (PC 206) (1975) ARM Rejón. (PC 207) (1975) ARM De la Fuente. (PC 208) (1975) ARM Guzmán. (PC 209) (1975) ARM Ramírez. (PC 210) (1975) ARM Mariscal. (PC 211) (1975) ARM Jara (PC 212) (1975) ARM Colima (PC 214) (1975) ARM Lizardi (PC 215) (1975)

ARM Mugica (PC 216) (1976) ARM Velazco (PC 218) (1976) ARM Macías (PC 220) (1976) ARM Tamaulipas (PC 223) (1977) ARM Yucatán (PC 224) (1977) ARM Tabasco (PC 225) (1978) ARM Cochimie (PC 226) (1978) ARM Puebla (PC 228) (1982) ARM Vicario (PC 230) (1977) ARM Ortíz (PC 231) (1977)

[edit] Other ships

The Mexican Navy counts with 60 smaller patrol boats and 32 auxiliary ships. The Mexican Navy acquired 40 units, designated 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 CB 90 HMN, are to increase its fast boat fleet. Additional budgets will be awarded each passing year.^[11] In total, the Mexican Navy has over 189 operational ships.^[2]

In 2008, the Mexican Navy created its new Search and Rescue system, alocated in strategic ports at Pacific and Gulf of Mexico ports, to provide assistance to any ship which are in jeopardy or at risk due to mechanical failure, wheather conditions or life risk to the crews. To provide such support, the Navy has ordered Coast Guard Defender class boats (2 per station, and one MLB coastal guard ships). Other stations will be provided only with Defender class boats.

[edit] Aircraft

The aircraft quantities are approximate.^[12][13]

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	In service[14]	Notes	Images
Fixed wing
Antonov	Russia	Utility transport	An-32B	6
de Havilland	Canada	Utility Utility transport	DHC-5 Buffalo DH-8	1 1
Turbo Commander	United States	Transport	980 Turbo	4
Beechcraft	United States	Transport Training	Baron 55 Bonanza 33	3 4
Learjet	United States	VIP transport	LJ25 LJ31 LJ60	1 1 1
Grumman	United States	Surveillance/AEW	E-2C Hawkeye	3	Purchased from Israel, overhauled and delivered in 2004.
CASA	Spain	Surveillance	C-212	7
Lancair	United States	Transport Training	IV-P Super ES Legacy 2000	3 3 2	One Super ES lost in accident
Sabreliner	United States	Transport	60	2
Maule Air	United States	Training	MX-7-235	14
Valmet	Finland	Training	L-90	8	Turboprop engine: 313kW Allison 250-B17F
Moravan	Czech Republic	Training	Zlin Z-242L	8	Acquired in 2002. Two lost in accidents[15]

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	In service[14]	Notes
Helicopters
Eurocopter	European Union	Search & rescue Combat	Fennec Panther	2 2	Two lost in accidents. Armed with gatling guns and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
Bölkow Bo 105	European Union	Surveillance	EC-Super Five	11	Armed with gatling guns and/or rocket launchers when required.
Robinson	United States	Training	R-44 R-22	1 1	One R-22 lost on accident.
MD	United States	Training	MD-500	4
Mil	Russia	Transport	Mi-2 Mi-17	4 23	Mi-17 armed with gatling guns and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
MD	United States	Combat	MD-902	6	Side-mounted General Dynamics 0.5in multi-barrel GAU-19/A rotary machine-guns and M2 pods containing seven 2.75in rockets each, for anti-narcotic operations.[16]

[edit] Future Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version	On Order	Notes	Images
Helicopters
Eurocopter	European Union	Search & rescue Combat	Panther	3	SEMAR has purchased 3 more Panther helicopters.[17][18]	|
Cessna	United States	surveillance	Cessna 208	2	Included in the Mérida Initiative package are two Cessna 208 Caravan for the Mexican Navy for naval patrol operations reinforcement.
EADS CASA	Spain	surveillance	CASA CN-235	6	To fortify the Mexican Drug War war against the drug cartels, SEMAR purchased six CASA CN-235 surveillance aircraft from Spain.[19][20][21][22]

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Mexican Army
• Mexican Air Force
• Military of Mexico

[edit] External links

• Secretary of the Navy Official site (Spanish)
• Naval Infantry official site (Spanish)
• Bulom Design
• Mexican Naval Missile Picture
• Mexican Naval Missile Picture2
• Mexican Naval Missile Picture3

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