With the presence of the President of the Republic, José Antonio Kast, the Commander in Chief of the Navy Admiral Fernando Cabrera, national, regional, naval, foreign authorities, representatives of the academic and industrial world and personnel of the Navy Shipyards and Shipyards (ASMAR), the launch of the Multipurpose Transport Ship (LPD) “Magallanes”, the first unit built within the framework of the National Continuous Naval Construction Plan (PNCCN) on June 18th.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, June 18 at the ASMAR Talcahuano plant, constituting a milestone for the country, for the Chilean Navy and ASMAR, by materializing a strategic initiative that seeks to ensure the sustained renewal of maritime capabilities, strengthen the national naval industry and project the country’s technological development during the coming decades.
During the activity, the President of the Republic highlighted the importance of the Continuous National Shipbuilding Plan for the development of Chile and the strengthening of its strategic capabilities.
“It is a historic milestone, and, as I pointed out, here the past, the present and a future splendor come together. Thank you to ASMAR and thank you to the Chilean Navy for allowing us to share this historic milestone and that brings us all together transversally.”
In addition, the President added that: “This is a state policy, it is not of a single Government, and that reflects the presence here of the entire political world, of civil society, of the universities. All of us here are proud of the work that has been done, so just thank you to the Chilean Navy and ASMAR.”
The project for the construction of the “Magallanes” LPD represents the consolidation of a state policy aimed at generating national capacities in areas of high technological complexity, allowing the continuity of specialized knowledge, promoting innovation and strengthening qualified employment associated with the maritime and industrial sector.
The new unit is designed to fulfill multiple functions, including the transport of personnel and material, logistical support to isolated areas, humanitarian assistance, response to emergencies and natural disasters, evacuation of people and support for joint and combined operations, significantly increasing the projection and sustainment capacity of the Chilean Navy.
In this context, the Commander in Chief of the Navy, Admiral Fernando Cabrera Salazar, highlighted the impact that this project has on institutional development and for the strengthening of the country’s maritime capabilities.
“It is tremendously important because the need that the navy has is to meet the requirements of being present in the country, both in Polynesia, Antarctica, and in the American continent. We are very happy because today we are launching a ship into the water, the LPD Magallanes, but, perhaps, tomorrow, we will be able to consolidate an industry for the State in accordance with academia, the private sector and the State.”
The construction of the LPD “Magallanes” is the result of joint work between the Navy, ASMAR, State agencies, universities and national companies, consolidating a collaboration model that allows the promotion of projects of high strategic value for Chile.
The Director of ASMAR, Rear Admiral Miguel Hernández in his speech, pointed out that: “The National Shipbuilding Policy reminds us that building a ship in Chile not only allows the incorporation of new capabilities for the Navy; it also allows us to preserve knowledge, train specialists, activate suppliers, transfer technology and strengthen an industrial base that generates value beyond the budget it finances.”
The launch of this unit also marks a new advance in the shipbuilding capacity achieved by ASMAR, continuing a trajectory that includes emblematic projects such as the Ocean Patrol Boats, the AGS scientific vessel “Cape Horn” and the icebreaker “Almirante Viel”, consolidating Chile as one of the regional benchmarks in shipbuilding.
After this stage, the LPD “Magallanes” will continue with its process of enlistment, integration of systems and operational tests prior to its incorporation into active service, contributing to the fulfillment of the permanent tasks of the Chilean Navy and the strengthening of the presence of the State in the national territory.
With this milestone, the Chilean Navy and ASMAR reaffirm their commitment to the country’s maritime development, advancing a strategic vision that strengthens sovereignty, promotes innovation and projects capabilities to face the challenges of the 21st century.