On board the Icebreaker “Almirante Viel”, details were given about the institutional deployments to the Chilean Antarctic Territory that will begin this Thursday, November 6.
Punta Arenas. The Third Naval Zone officially presented the 2025–2026 Institutional Antarctic Commission (COMANTAR), which includes the deployment of various naval units to the Chilean Antarctic Territory for an approximate period of 160 days, between November of this year and April 2026.
The activity was led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Third Naval Zone, Rear Admiral Jorge Castillo, along with the Regional Governor of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Jorge Flies, the Regional Presidential Delegate, José Ruiz, and the regional secretaries of Science, Verónica Vallejos, and of Public Works, José Luis Hernández, in addition to representatives of logistical institutions linked to the national presence on the White Continent.
During the presentation, the objectives of the deployment were detailed, which will begin on November 6, coinciding with Chilean Antarctica National Day.
“For us, it is truly a special occasion to be starting the Antarctic Summer Campaign, an effort that we develop mainly with the units that make up our tactical trio: the Icebreaker AGB-46 “Almirante Viel”, the Tugboat ATF-60 “Lientur” and the OPV-83 “Marinero Fuentealba”, said Rear Admiral Jorge Castillo.
“During the season, approximately 8,000 tons of cargo will be transported from Punta Arenas to Fildes Bay. This material will be used by the Ministry of Public Works both at the Teniente Marsh airfield and in the first stage of construction of the new pier, which will strengthen Chile’s logistical and scientific presence in Antarctica,” the naval authority added.
Logistical support for strategic projects
Regional Governor Jorge Flies emphasized the significance of the Navy in the southern region: “Magallanes is an Antarctic region, and this is demonstrated by its close relationship with the Chilean Navy. This deployment not only strengthens maritime security and control, but also scientific development and infrastructure projects in Fildes Bay and at the Teniente Marsh airstrip. These are historic projects due to their scale and the level of coordination achieved.”
For his part, the Regional Presidential Delegate, José Ruiz, praised the inter-institutional collaboration promoted by the State: “We are beginning Antarctic Month with this campaign that reaffirms the sovereignty of our country.”
Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary of Public Works, José Luis Hernández, explained that the Navy’s collaboration will be key to the execution of the projects: “Starting this week, the first cargo movements begin, which include the transport of more than eight thousand tons of materials to Antarctica. This is a three-year project that involves the construction of both the Fildes Bay pier and the maintenance of the Teniente Marsh airstrip. Without the Navy’s logistical support, it would be impossible to complete works of this magnitude.”
Operational deployment and sovereign presence
In total, COMANTAR 2025–2026 includes the participation of six Chilean Navy units, including ships based in Punta Arenas, Talcahuano, and Valparaíso. Nearly 400 naval personnel from various parts of the country will make up the crews operating between November and April 2026, carrying out resupply operations for national and international bases, opening summer bases, conducting the First CIMAR Antarctic Cruise, and performing hydrographic and maritime signaling tasks.
“A particularly relevant point is that the Lientur tugboat will remain in the Antarctic Continent during the Christmas and New Year holidays, marking an effective sovereign presence in the Chilean Antarctic Territory, thanks to the effort and commitment of the sailors of the Chilean Navy,” concluded Rear Admiral Castillo.