Uruguay negotiates with the US for the purchase of naval patrol aircraft and helicopters for US$30 million

The United States was determined – and still is – that Uruguay should not buy ocean patrol vessels from China, and to prevent this, it not only promoted the option of Norwegian ships but also offered the South American country a juicy naval assistance package, with which to solve many of the current problems of the Uruguayan Navy.

Thus, both countries have agreed to sell two aircraft and four helicopters for naval patrol, a Powhatan class tug, an offshore salvage vessel, two support boats, ten general transport trucks, and some 2,500 rifles for US$30 million, the same amount that the Uruguayan government will pay to acquire the three Nordkapp class vessels.

No aircraft models to be received have yet been disclosed.

However, the Navy uses Beechcraft T-34C1 Turbo Mentor and B-200 Super King Air aircraft, Agusta Bell 412 and Bell OH-58A Kiowa helicopters, all readily available in the United States.

The only information available to date is that of the four helicopters, three could be of one model and one of another.

In addition, negotiations are at an advanced stage for the Mount Mitchell oceanographic and hydrographic vessel, which would be acquired with the force’s own funds.

RECOVERY OF NAVAL AIR CAPABILITIES

With the acquisition of these units, the Navy would recover its naval air capabilities to a much higher level than it has had in the last 50 years, with:

• four maritime patrol aircraft,
• three coastal patrol aircraft,
• two training aircraft,
• five helicopters with patrol, search, and rescue capabilities
• and potentially two training helicopters.

In parallel, the seagoing fleet would begin to recover capabilities, albeit with second-hand and relatively old means, with:

• three ocean patrol vessels (the Norwegians) with frigate-like displacement -but more modest armament- and helicopter platform,
• three Marine Protector coastal patrol boats,
• a Powhatan-class offshore rescue and towing vessel,
• an oceanographic vessel and what remains of the current fleet,
• the logistics ship ROU 4 Artigas, the end-of-life salvage ship ROU 26 Vanguardia,
• the tug and patrol vessel ROU 23 Maldonado
• and the two Kondor II class barreminas, which urgently need replacement,
• and a handful of smaller vessels.

With information from infodefensa

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