Mexican Navy

Mexican Navy (Armada de México)
Active	January 19, 1821 (January 19, 1821)
Country	Mexico
Type	Navy
Size	56,000 personnel
Part of	Secretariat of The Navy
Anniversaries	June 1, National Navy Day[1]
Engagements	Mexican Revolution Mexican–American War World War II Mexican Drug War
Commanders
Current commander	Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz
Insignia
Naval jack
Naval jack (1994–2000)

The Mexican Navy is one of the two independent Armed Forces of Mexico. The actual naval forces are called the Armada de México. The Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) (English: Naval Secretariat) includes both the Armada itself and the attached ministerial and civil service. The commander of the Navy is the Secretary of the Navy, who is both a cabinet minister and a career naval officer.

The Mexican Navy's stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for external defense, and to help with internal order".^[2] The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves,^[3] over 189 ships, and about 130 aircraft.^[4][5] The Navy attempts to maintain a constant modernization program in order to upgrade its response capability.

Given Mexico's large area of water (3,149,920 km²) and extensive coastline (11,122 km), the Navy's duties are of great importance. Perhaps its most important on-going missions are the war on drugs and protecting PEMEX's oil wells in Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico. Another important task of the Mexican Navy is to help people in hurricane relief operations and other natural disasters.

Starting with the term of President Enrique Peña Nieto, the prefix ARM (Armada Republica Mexicana, Republic of Mexico Navy) started being used in all naval vessels in active service.

History

The Mexican Navy has its origins in the creation of the Ministry of War in 1821. From that year until 1939 it existed jointly with the Army in the organic ministry. Since its declaration of independence from Spain in September 1810, through the mid decades of the 19th century, Mexico found itself in a constant state of war, mostly against Spain which had not recognized its independence. Therefore, its priority was to purchase its first fleet from the U.S. in order to displace the last remaining Spanish forces from its coasts.^[6]

The Mexican Navy has participated in many naval battles to protect and defend Mexico's interests. Some of the most important battles were:

Attempts by Spain to reconquer Mexico

• Takeover of the San Juan de Ulúa fort (1821–1825)
• The invasion of Cabo Rojo (1829)
• Battle of Mariel

The first French intervention in Mexico (The 'Pastry War') (November 1838 - March 1839)

• An entire Armada was captured at Veracruz

Texan Independence (1836-1845)

• Texas Navy

Yucatán Independence (1841—1848)

• Naval Battle of Campeche

The Mexican–American War (1846–48)

The Second French Intervention (1862–1867)

The Mexican Revolution (1910–1919)

• First Battle of Topolobampo
• Second Battle of Topolobampo
• Third Battle of Topolobampo
• Action of 9 April 1914
• Fourth Battle of Topolobampo

Second invasion by the United States (April 9, 1914 – November 23, 1914)

• United States occupation of Veracruz

Historical ships

• 
  Gunboat Libertad
• 
  Cuauhtemoc

Organization

The President of Mexico is commander in chief of all military forces. Day-to-day control of the Navy lies with the Navy Secretary, Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz.^[7] In Mexico there is no joint forces command structure with the army, so the Secretary reports directly to the President. The Navy has a General Headquarters and three naval forces. There are furthermore 8 regions (4 on the Pacific coast, 3 on the Mexican Gulf coast and the Región Naval Central, grouping the naval forces, based in and around the capitol Mexico city, such as the 7th Naval Infantry Brigade, the Central Special Operations Group and the Air Transport Squadron), 13 zones, and 14 naval sectors.

The Navy is divided into three main services designated as "forces":

• Gulf and Caribbean Sea Naval Force
• Pacific Naval Force
• Naval Infantry Force

Other notable services include:

• Naval Aviation (Naval Aviation)
• Search and Rescue

Officers are trained at the Mexican Naval Academy, called the "Heroica Escuela Naval Militar" ("Heroic Military Naval School"), located in Antón Lizardo, Veracruz.

Naval Infantry

The Mexican Naval Infantry Corps was reorganized in 2007-2009 into 30 Naval Infantry Battalions (Batallones de Infantería de Marina - BIM), a paratroop battalion, a battalion attached to the Presidential Guard Brigade, two Fast Reaction Forces with six battalions each, and three Special Forces groups.^[8] The Naval Infantry are responsible for port security, protection of the ten-kilometer coastal fringe, and patrolling major waterways.

The Naval Infantry also is responsible for 23 National Service Training Units under the responsibility of the Navy Secretary, enforcing the National Service obligation for Mexicans of teenage and young adult age.

Search and rescue units

In 2008, the Mexican Navy created its new search and rescue system, allocated in strategic ports at Pacific and Gulf of Mexico ports, to provide assistance to any ships which are in jeopardy or at risk due to mechanical failure, weather conditions or life risk to the crew. To provide such support, the Navy has ordered Coast Guard Defender class ships (2 per station, and one 47-Foot Motor Lifeboat coastal guard ships). Other stations will be provided only with Defender class boats.^[9]

Maritime Role

On April 1, 2014 SEMAR officially announced the creation of Port Protection Naval Units (Unidades Navales de Protección Portuaria: UNAPROP) which will include a marine section.^[10][11] The main task of UNAPROPs is to ensure Maritime surveillance and inspection.^[12]

Training and education

The Navy offers several options for graduate studies in their educational institutions:

Heroica Escuela Naval Militar

It is the school where future officers are trained for the General Corps of the Navy. Candidates can enter upon completing high school. Upon completion of studies, graduates obtain the degree of Corbeta Lieutenant and the title of Naval Science Engineer.

Naval Medical School

This school Located in Mexico City, offers a career in medicine. Officers are trained with skills for the prevention and health care of naval personnel. By adopting a professional examination, graduates can obtain the degree of Naval Military Lieutenant Corvette.

Naval Engineering School

In the Naval Engineering School, officers are responsible for the preventive and corrective maintenance of systems and electronic equipment installed on ships and installations of the Mexican Navy. This school offers career of Electronic Engineering and Naval Communications. It is located between the town of Mata Grape and Anton Lizardo, 32 km from the port of Veracruz.

Naval Nursing School

Here the time to achieve a nursing degree lasts eight semesters. Officers are trained with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable them to assist medical personnel in caring for patients in hospitals, sanatoriums, clinics, health sections on land, aboard ships and at The Naval Medical Center.

Naval Aviation School

The Naval Aviation School trains pilots for the Mexican Navy as well as staff from the Federal Preventive Police and Naval personnel from various countries of Central America. This school is located on Veracruz.^[13]

Search, Rescue and Diving School

Located in Acapulco, members of The Navy are trained for marine search, rescue and diving. It also trains state police officers and firefighters.

Modernization and budget

The annual Navy's budget is in a 1 to 3 proportion of the national budget relative to the Army & Air Force. The Navy has a reputation for being well-run and well-organized. This reputation allows for a close relationship with the U.S. Navy, as evidenced by the procurement of numerous former USN ships.

Ships

The Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Francisco Saynez Mendoza, announced on October 1, 2007, detailed plans to upgrade and modernize the country's naval capabilities. On the following day, La Jornada newspaper from Mexico City, disclosed the Mexican Navy plans, which are among others, to build six oceanic patrol vessels (OPV) with a length of 86 meters, 1680 tons and each housing a Eurocopter Panther helicopter as well as small high speed interception boats. The budget for this project is above $200 million USD.

Another project is to build 12 CB 90 HMN high speed (50 knots) interception boats under license from a Swedish boat company to the Mexican Navy. Also, a number of fully equipped planes for surveillance and maritime patrol are being considered. Combinations of options and development are being defined.

Shipbuilding

The Mexican Navy depends upon their naval shipyards for construction and repairs of their ships. There are 5 shipyards located in the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean:

• Gulf of Mexico
  • Naval shipyard 1 (ASTIMAR 1) - Tampico, Tamaulipas
  • Naval shipyard 3 (ASTIMAR 3) - Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz
• Pacific Ocean
  • Naval shipyard 6 (ASTIMAR 6) - Guaymas, Sonora
  • Naval shipyard 18 (ASTIMAR 18) - Acapulco, Guerrero
  • Naval shipyard 20 (ASTIMAR 20) - Salina Cruz, Oaxaca

Missiles

The Mexican Navy initiated studies to develop and construct its first missile, according to a May 2005 interview with the undersecretary of the Navy, Armando Sanchez, the missile was to have an average range of 12 to 15 kilometers and be able to target enemy ships and aircraft. The undersecretary added that they already had the solid propellant, and the basic design of the missile. All aspects relative to their fuselage were solved as well as the launch platforms. The Mexican Navy was developing the software to direct the missile to its target. In July 2008, the project was reported to be 80% complete. Despite this effort, the missile development was canceled in 2009 due to "problems with the propulsion system".^[14]

Radar modernization

In 2009, the Mexican Navy began operating a batch of new MPQ-64 Sentinel radars in the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico. The radar network was installed in 2007 for a trial phase while military personnel were trained to get familiar with the system. The new installations will work together with combat surface vessels that patrol the area.^[15][16]

Present fleet

Class	Image	Type	Ships	Origin
Destroyers
Quetzalcoatl class		Multipurpose destroyer	D102 Netzahualcoyotl	United States - ex-USN Gearing-class destroyer
Manuel Azueta class		Air-defence destroyer	D111 Manuel Azueta	United States - ex-USN Edsall-class destroyer escort
Frigates
Allende class		Multipurpose frigate	F211 Ignacio Allende F212 Mariano Abasolo F213 Guadalupe Victoria F214 Francisco Javier Mina	United States - ex-USN Knox-class frigate
Bravo class		Multipurpose frigate	F201 Nicolás Bravo F202 Hermenegildo Galeana	United States - ex-USN Bronstein-class frigate
Amphibious ships
Papaloapan class		Tank landing ship	A411 Papaloapan A412 Usumacinta	United States - ex-USN Newport-class tank landing ship
Panuco class		Tank landing ship	A402 Manzanillo	United States
Logistic support vessel
Montes Azules class		Landing ship	BAL01 Montes Azules BAL02 Libertador (construction completed, inaugurated on September 10, 2012)[17]	Mexico
TBD class		Supply ship	BAL11 Isla Madre Launched July 11, 2016.[18]	Based on Damen Fast Crew Supplier 5009  Netherlands
Missile corvettes
Huracan class		Anti-ship corvette	A301 Huracán A302 Tormenta	Israel - ex-Israeli Navy Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boat
Mine counter-measure
Banderas class		Minesweeper	Banderas Magdalena Kino Yavaros Chamela Tepoca	United States
Ocean patrol vessels
Oaxaca class patrol vessel		Ocean patrol vessels	P161 Oaxaca P162 Baja California P163 Independencia P164 Revolución P165 Chiapas[19] P166 Hidalgo[19] P167 Jalisco (In construction)[20]	Mexico
Durango class patrol vessel		Ocean patrol vessels	P151 Durango P152 Sonora P153 Guanajuato P154 Veracruz	Mexico
Sierra class corvette		Ocean patrol vessels	P141 Sierra P143 Prieto P144 Romero	Mexico
Holzinger class patrol vessel		Ocean patrol vessels	P131 Holzinger P132 Godínez P133 De la Vega P134 Berriozabal	Mexico
Uribe class patrol vessel		Ocean patrol vessels	P121 Uribe P122 Azueta P123 Baranda P124 Bretón P125 Blanco P126 Monasterio	Spain
Valle class patrol vessel		Ocean patrol vessels	P102 Juan de la Barrera P103 Mariano Escobedo P104 Manuel Doblado P106 Santos Degollado P108 Juan N. Álvarez P109 Manuel Gutiérrez Zamora P110 Valentín Gómez Farías P112 Francisco Zarco P113 Ignacio L. Vallarta P114 Jesús González Ortega P117 Mariano Matamoros	United States - ex-Auk-class minesweeper
Coastal patrol ships
Tenochtitlán class[21][22]		Coastal patrol	PC331 ARM Tenochtitlan PC332 ARM Teotihuacan PC333 ARM Palenque PC334 ARM Mitla PC335 ARM Uxmal PC336 ARM Tajin[23] PC337 ARM Tulum[24] PC338 ARM Monte Albán[18] PC339 ARM Bonampak (In construction)[25] PC340 Chichen Iztzá (in construction)[25]	Based on Damen Stan Patrol 4207 - 3 vessels ordered in January 2016  Netherlands
Azteca class		Coastal patrol	PC202 Cordova PC206 Rayón PC207 Rejón PC208 De la Fuente PC209 Guzmán PC210 Ramírez PC211 Mariscal PC212 Jara PC214 Colima PC215 Lizardi PC216 Mugica PC218 Velazco PC220 Macías PC223 Tamaulipas PC224 Yucatán PC225 Tabasco PC226 Cochimie PC228 Puebla PC230 Vicario PC231 Ortíz	United Kingdom  Mexico
Demócrata class		Coastal patrol	PC241 Demócrata PC242 Francisco I. Madero	Mexico
Cabo class		Coastal patrol	PC271 Corriente PC272 Corso PC273 Catoche	Mexico
Punta class		Coastal patrol	PC-281 Morro PC-282 Mastún	Mexico
Interceptors
Polaris class		Patrol	44 In service	Sweden
Polaris II class		Patrol	6 In service + 17 under construction	Mexico
Acuario A/B class		Patrol	In service	Mexico
Isla class		Patrol	In service	Mexico
Auxiliary vessels
Huasteco class		Multipurpose	AMP01 Huasteco AMP02 Zapoteco	Mexico
Maya class		Multipurpose	ATR01 Maya ATR02 Tarasco	Mexico
Cuauhtemoc class		Training ship	BE01 Cuauhtémoc	Spain

The Mexican Navy includes 60 smaller patrol boats and 32 auxiliary ships. It acquired 40 fast military assault crafts, designated CB 90 HMN, between 1999 and 2001 and obtained a production license in 2002 enabling further units to be manufactured in Mexico.

Modern equipment

Mexican Naval Infantry Inventory

Vehicle/System	Type	Versions
Armoured Vehicles
BTR-60/BTR-70	Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier	APC-70
Carat Security Group	Armored Personnel Carrier	Wolverine APC
Land Rover	Armored Personnel Carrier	Defender 4x4
Infantry Transport Vehicles
Ford-150[26]	Light Utility Vehicle	4x4 F-150 series pick up
Ford-250[26]	Light Utility Vehicle	4x4 F-250 series pick up
Dodge Ram[27]	Light Utility Vehicle	4x4 Pick up
Mercedes-Benz[28][29]	Light Utility Vehicle	4x4 G-class
Trucks
Ural-4320	Utility Vehicle	Off-road 6x6 truck
UNIMOG U-4000[30][31]	Utility Vehicle	4x4 truck
Gama Goat	Amphibious 6-wheeled vehicle	6x6 truck
Freightliner M2[32]	Utility Vehicle	4x2 truck

Individual weapons and equipment

Mexican Naval Inventory

Name	Versions	Type
M16A2 rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Assault rifle
M4 Carbine	5.56×45mm NATO	Assault rifle
IMI Galil	5.56×45mm NATO	Assault rifle
Heckler & Koch MP5	9×19mm	Submachine gun
Heckler & Koch UMP	.45 ACP	Submachine gun
FN P90	5.7×28mm	Submachine gun
Colt M1911	.45 ACP	Pistol
Beretta	9×19mm	Pistol
Heckler & Koch MSG90	7.62×51mm NATO	Sniper rifle
Barrett M82	.50 BMG	Sniper rifle
Remington 700	7.62×51mm NATO	Sniper rifle
FN Minimi	5.56×45mm NATO	Machine gun
CETME Ameli[33]	5.56×45mm NATO	Machine gun
GAU-19	12.7×99mm NATO	Heavy machine gun
M2 Browning machine gun	12.7×99mm NATO	Heavy machine gun
M134	7.62×51mm NATO	Gatling-type machine gun
CIS 40 AGL	40mm	Grenade machine gun
Milkor MGL	40mm	Grenade launcher
M203 grenade launcher	40mm	Grenade launcher
Remington 1100	12	Shotgun

Artillery

Mexican Naval Inventory

Name	Versions	Type
Self-propelled artillery
Bofors L70	40mm	Anti-aircraft artillery
Oerlikon	20mm	Anti-aircraft artillery
Shipboard anti-aircraft artillery
Phalanx CIWS	20mm	Close In Weapons System
Multiple rocket launchers
FIROS	122mm	Multiple Launch Rocket System
Towed artillery
OTO Melara Mod 56	105mm	Towed howitzer
K6	120mm	Heavy mortar
M29	81mm	Medium mortar
Brandt LR	60mm	Light mortar
Bofors L70	40mm	Towed anti-aircraft artillery
Bofors L60	40mm	Towed anti-aircraft artillery
Oerlikon	20mm	Towed anti-aircraft artillery
Anti-shipping missile
Gabriel	Mk. II	Anti-shipping missile
Anti-aircraft missiles
SA-18	72.2mm	Anti-aircraft missile
Sea Sparrow	RIM-7	Anti-aircraft missile
Light anti-tank weapons
RPG-75	Anti-tank weapon	68mm
B300	Anti-tank weapon	82mm

Aircraft inventory

The aircraft quantities are approximate,^[34][35] and estimated to be 68 airplanes and 54 helicopters.^[36][37]

Aircraft	Type	Versions	In service	Image
Combat aircraft
Valmet L-90	Combat/Counter Insurgency	L-90TP	8
Trainers
Zlin Z-242	Training	Z-242L	8[38]
Maule M-7	Training	MX-7-180A	8
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II	Training	T-6C+	2 [39][40]
Transport
Antonov An-32	Tactical transport	An-32B	3
CASA C-295[41][42][43]	Tactical transport	C295M	6
Bombardier Dash 8	Tactical transport	DH-8	1
Turbo Commander	Transport	980 Turbo	4
Learjet	VIP transport	LJ25	1
Learjet	VIP transport	LJ31	2
Learjet	VIP transport	LJ60	1
Gulfstream IV	VIP transport	G450	1
Reconnaissance and intelligence
CASA C-212	Surveillance	C-212-400	7[44]
CASA CN-235	Surveillance	CN-235MP 300	3
Lancair	Reconnaissance	IV-P Super ES Legacy 2000	3 3 2
King Air 350	Surveillance	King Air 350ER	3, 2 on order[40][45][46]
Helicopters
Eurocopter Fennec	Search & rescue	AS555AF	2
Eurocopter Panther	Combat	AS656MB	4
Eurocopter EC 725	Transport	EC725	3/3 pending delivery
Bölkow Bo 105	Surveillance	EC-Super Five	11
MD Helicopters MD 500	Training	MD-500	4
Mil Mi-2	Transport	Mi-2 Hopite	1
Mil Mi-17	Transport	Mi-17IV/V5	23
MD Helicopters MD Explorer	Combat	MD-902	6
Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk	Transport and combat	UH-60M	3[47][48]
UAV
UAV SEMAR	Reconnaissance/Intelligence	T1 / T2 / T3	3
Future acquisitions
EADS CASA	surveillance	CASA CN-235	8[47][49][50][51]
Mi-17	Transport helicopter	Mi-17V5	3[52]

Future

For the year 2008 budget, the Mexican Congress approved a $15 million USD funds to build only 17 out of 60 combat boats requested. These ships, designated CB 90 HMN, are to increase its fast boat fleet. Additional budgets will be awarded each passing year.^[53] In total, the Mexican Navy has over 189 operational ships.^[4]

In January 2013, the 112th Session of US Congress authorized the transfer of the Oliver Hazard Perry Frigates USS Curts and USS McClusky to the Mexican Navy,^[54] but due to the cost of overhauling the vessels and the removal of all the weapons systems and most of the electronics and radar gear by the US Navy prior to transfer, this is still undecided by Mexico. The offer expired on 1 January 2016.^[54]

2014

On March 25, 2014 Beechcraft Corporation received an order of 2 T-6C+ military trainers from the Mexican Navy.^[55]

On June 24, 2014 the Mexican Government requested the purchase of 5 UH-60Ms in USG configuration from the U.S.; its estimated cost is $225 million.^[56] Also on June 24, BAE Systems announced it was awarded a contract by the Mexican Government to supply the navy with 4 Mk 3 57mm naval guns, for which ship is to be armed with Mk 3s is still unknown.^[57]

See also

• Military of Mexico
  • Mexican Army
  • Mexican Air Force
  • Mexican Naval Aviation
• Symphonic Orchestra and Chorus of the Secretariat of the Navy of Mexico

References

External links

• Secretary of the Navy Official site (Spanish)
• Naval Infantry official site (Spanish)