As economies across the globe continue to contract, navies, armies, and air forces are being told, if not, “do more with less” to at least “do the same with less.” Proceedings thus asked sea-service commanders around the world: What innovative efficiencies and economies are you implementing, or considering implementing, to improve force readiness?
Admiral Emundo González-Robles
Even when a number of factors contribute to the high state of readiness of the Chilean Navy, its forces constantly face the challenge of developing as quickly as possible the capabilities required to fulfill its roles. Within that context, proper preparation of personnel and matériel, efficient training, and adequate management of associated resources are key elements.
In the area of personnel, we have concentrated our efforts on rationalizing academic infrastructure and developing common study programs in order to obtain the most benefit from the instruction provided. Similarly, we have made significant progress in optimizing knowledge management by developing and enhancing crucial operational-logistical skills, e-learning, and joint courses—to name but a few examples.
On the subject of matériel, we have enhanced the preparation of maintenance personnel with a view to increasing systems availability. Priority has been given to both standardized matériel and interchangeable and compatible equipment, which provide flexibility and facilitate logistic support. In addition, the full employment of simulators is also a prime objective.
On the matter of training, we have gradually standardized instruction for forces deployed along our long coastline. We also have standardized naval and maritime procedures, with an emphasis on maintaining the continuity of achieved training. That has resulted in the efficient allocation of resources. Furthermore, it is important to highlight our participation in combined training exercises, such as the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC)—the largest and most comprehensive maritime warfare exercise in the world—where the diverse challenges faced by our units and personnel in staffs allow them to achieve a higher level of training, which has had the effect of being a force multiplier.
Lastly, we have been improving policies that set different levels of readiness to better focus sustainability efforts. Among the objectives have been the integration of all maritime capabilities; the improvement of management indicators that best represent the performance level achieved; and the development of risk management—already implemented at the operational level. We will continue to follow this path in the future as we believe that the experience gained will allow our forces to achieve higher levels of readiness and professional preparation.