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 Carlos Roberto Tejada Mera
Planned innovations are based on force re-sizing, asset modernization, and improving research and development programs, mainly oriented to increase operational capabilities, which are supported by the country’s economic growth achieved in recent years.
First, naval forces will be re-sized according to their mission for the future. Construction may encompass surface-warfare ships, support ships, offshore patrol vessels, coast-guard vessels such as maritime patrol ships, coast patrol boats, fleet oilers, riverine boats, and oceanographic units—the latter perhaps with Antarctic-expanded capabilities.
Aircraft modernization, including renovation of older craft, and an increase in marine units also are planned, including the number of marine battalions and stations, specifically in jungle areas.
Those innovations will demand recovery of our shipbuilding-industry capabilities through joint ventures for technology transfer from modern shipyards worldwide.
To modernize our force, including blue- and brown-water surface ships, submarines, and aircraft, the Peruvian Navy is working with Asian and European navies and shipyards. The modernization has considered sensors, weapons, and propulsion improvements with current technologies, ensuring effective capability for the next decade.
Finally, the process of naval force modernization provides, through research and development programs, new and upgraded command-and-control and electronic warfare systems. For undersea assets, our fire-control systems and sensors have been modernized as well, and tactical simulators have been developed.
Additionally, we have developed a traffic-information system (SIMTRAC), which allows monitoring of maritime traffic in real time, showing ship movements through both terrestrial and satellite data-collection systems. SIMTRAC has a modular architecture that permits access to other agencies’ data, so it also can function as an interagency system for monitoring the aquatic environment and its resources, thus protecting the environment and human life.
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