Warships & OPVs: Latin America

The shipbuilding industry in Latin America is highly competitive at present. Not only are several major international companies looking to sell new warships, but several governments are actively donating surplus smaller vessels to various nations in the region.

Shipyards throughout Latin America are rapidly improving their knowledge through technology transfer and experience with modern shipyards now present in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and even Venezuela, all of which are constructing their own vessels with the help of external technology providers. Many of these shipyards have ambitions to not just service their domestic requirements but also to export and compete in the global market making it potentially lucrative for subsystem providers to involved. 

2017 sees an increased emphasis on frigate and corvette programmes in this region, as well as continued interest in offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Significant investment is underway in surface fleets.  

Defence IQ’s Warships & OPV Latin America forum is taking place in Chile this June to assist those involved in the market to work with naval customers across the continent. 

Ahead of the event, this Market Overview explores the current inventories, active programmes, future plans, and the wider security threats currently affecting this region, all in the aim to put the reader on a firmer standing before engaging with these issues on site.