The Chilean Navy’s ocean patrol vessel, OPV-82 Comandante Toro, concluded its participation in the multinational naval exercise, Unitas Colombia 2023, on July 21.
The exercise had been ongoing since July 15 off the coast of Cartagena de Indias.
Unitas, meaning ‘Unity’ in Latin, is an exercise initiated in 1959 by the U.S. Navy.
It is designed to promote interoperability among regional navies to address common challenges or events that may necessitate international cooperation.
The Colombian Navy, celebrating its bicentenary on July 24, hosted the 64th iteration of this multinational exercise.
The event featured 23 warships, three submarines, 29 aircraft, and approximately 4,500 personnel from 19 partner nations.
The OPV-82 Comandante Toro, alongside units from friendly navies, participated in sea phase exercises including electronic warfare, surface and anti-submarine exercises, air defense, amphibious operations, maritime interdiction, and special operations.
Additionally, the Marine Corps contingent deployed on the patrol vessel trained with Special Forces personnel from the United States, France, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Belize.
They also participated in a landing in the Gulf of Morrosquillo.