Bolivarian Armada of Venezuela

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Bolivarian National Armada of Venezuela
Armada Nacional Bolivariana de Venezuela
ANRBV.gif
Active 1811 - Present
Country  Venezuela
Branch Navy of Venezuela
Patron Virgen del Valle
Motto Navegare necesse, vivere non necesse

(Latin: Sailing is necessary, but living is not.)
Engagements Venezuelan War of Independence
Battle of Lake Maracaibo
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 José Prudencio Padilla
Luis Brión

The navy of Venezuela is officially called the Bolivarian National Armada of Venezuela (Spanish: Armada Nacional Bolivariana de Venezuela).

It serves the purpose of defending the naval sovereignty of the country, including inland, fluvial security, it also serves to prevent illegal activities in the Venezuelan borders and contributes with international organisms to safeguard international waters from criminal activities.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Joint Exercises

In September, 2008, the Russian Navy's nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, accompanied by three other ships of Russia's Northern Fleet, sailed from its base in Severomorsk on a cruise to the Caribbean Sea for a joint exercise with the Venezuelan Navy. This action represented the first major Russian power projection in that region since the end of the Cold War.[1][2] The fleet of ships, headed by the nuclear-powered Pyotr Velikiy, set off from its base at Severomorsk in the Arctic on Monday, September 22. Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo told the AFP news agency, "It's the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Peter the Great, the anti-submarine warship Admiral Chebanenko and other accompanying ships". The other ships included a tug boat and supply ships.[3]

[edit] Organization of the Navy

The Navy is led by the Commanding General of the Navy, by 2012 Admiral Diego Alfredo Molero Bellavia.

[edit] Naval Staff Command

This command is led by the Chief of Naval Staff.

  • Naval Engineers Corps
  • Naval Science and Technology Directorate
  • Human Resources Organization Directorate

[edit] Naval Operations Command

Led by the Chief of Naval Operations it supervises all 4 naval operating commands.

[edit] Fleet Forces Command

Based in Naval Base Rear Admiral Agustín Armario in Puerto Caballo, Carabobo State it is the lead operating command of the Navy, divided into four squadrons:

  • Frigates Squadron
  • Submarine Squadron
  • Patrol Squadron
  • Service and Amphibious Squadron

[edit] Fluvial Command

This command, stationed in Naval Station Commander Tomás Machado in Ciudad Bolivar, Bolivar is the riverline and fluvial operations arm of the Navy.

[edit] Venezuelan Naval Aviation Command

Headquartered in NAS Puerto Cabello in Puerto Cabello, the command serves as the air arm of the Venezulean Navy.

  • Transport Squadron
  • Tactical Suppport Squadron
  • Patrol Squadron
  • Training Squadron
  • Helicopter Squadron
[edit] Naval Air Stations of the Venezuelan Navy
  • NAS Puerto Cabello (NAC HQ)
  • NAS Punto Fijo
  • NAS Maiquieta
  • NAS Caracas (Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase)
  • NAS Guiria
  • NAS La Blanquilla
  • NAS La Orchila
  • NAS Puerto Ayacucho (General in Chief José Antonio Páez AFB)

[edit] Bolivarian Marine Infantry

Main article: Venezuelan Marine Corps

The Marine Division of the Navy consists of 2 Marine Infantry Brigades, 3 Riverine Security Brigades, one Special Forces Brigade, one Naval Construction Brigade, and two other brigades (Naval Police and Reserve) plus other supporting and independent units.[citation needed]

[edit] Coast Guard Command

Headquartered in La Guaira, Vargas, it is responsible for the surveillance of Venezuelas jurisdictional waters.[4]

[edit] Support and Shore Establishment Commands

[edit] Naval General Inspectorate

Aimed at strengthening morale and operational efficiency of all Venezuelan Sailors and Marines.

  • Investigations Directorate
  • Control and Evaluation Directorate
  • Inspections Directorate

[edit] Naval Logistics Command

Directs all activities related to logistics and technical support to the Navy and Marines in all naval installations.

[edit] Naval Personnel Command

Aimed at strengthening all the human resources of the Navy.

  • Control Directorate
  • Permanent Evaluation Board
  • Nominations and Bids Directorate
  • Civil Personnel Directorate
  • Morale and Discipline Directorate
  • Directorate for Social Affairs
  • Anti-Drug Trafficking Directorate
  • Naval Reserve Directorate
    • Venezuelan Navy Reserve

[edit] Naval Service Education and Training Command

The NSETC is mandated to plan, direct and control all naval educational activities to make sure the Navy trains the best and more qualified men and women to serve in its ranks as both officers and enlisted and non-commisioned personnel.

  • Venezuelan Naval Academy "Admiral Sebastian Fransisco de Miranda Rodriguez"
  • Naval Superior War College
  • Naval Tactical Scenarios School
  • Center of Naval Administration "CPT Felipe Santiago Estevez"
  • Naval Technical School
  • Naval Recruit Training School
  • Naval Police School

[edit] Fleet Forces and Coast Guard ship organization

The following is the roster of active duty vessels and ships of the Venezuelan National Bolivarian Navy. [5][Full citation needed]

Vessels
Class Origin Type In Service Notes
Mariscal Sucre (Ex-Lupo-class frigate)  Italy Missile Frigate 6
Capana  Korea Amphibious 4
Sábalo (Type 209/1300 class)  Germany Submarine 2 to be replaced by Kilo class[6]
Kilo class  Russia Submarine 3 possibly on order[7]
Guaiquerí  Spain Patrol (POVZEE) 2
Guaicamacuto  Spain Patrol Coast Guard (BVL) 2
Point  USA Cutter 4
Punta Brava  Spain Survey Ship 1
Puerto Cabello  Norway Logistic Ship 1
Ciudad Bolívar  Korea Small Replenishment Oiler 1
Bricbarc  Spain Sail Training Ship 1

[edit] Naval Aviation assets

[edit] Helicopters

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes
Bell 412  USA Light transport helicopter 10
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King  USA Transport helicopter 3
Mil Mi-17  Russia Transport helicopter 8
Augusta-Bell AB-212  Italy Transport helicopter 8

[edit] Frigates

Venezuelan frigates General Salóm (foreground) and Mariscal Sucre conduct maneuvers
  • Six Lupo/Mariscal Sucre-class missile frigates class[8][9]
    • F-21 Mariscal Sucre, in service since 07-14-1980
    • F-22 Almirante Brión, in service since 03-07-1981
    • F-23 General Urdaneta, in service since 08-08-1981
    • F-24 General Soublette, in service since 12-04-1981
    • F-25 General Salóm, in service since 04-03-1982
    • F-26 Almirante García, in service since 07-30-1982
PC-21 Guaiquerí
  • As of 2010, four Spanish-made offshore patrol vessels of the POVZEE class were on order, to be delivered in 2010.[10][dated info]
    • PC-21 Guaiquerí, in service[11]
    • PC-22 Warao
    • PC-23 Yekuana
    • PC-24 Kariña

[edit] Submarines

  • Two submarines Type 209 acquired in August 1976 (Sábalo) and March 1977 (Caribe)
    • S-31 Sábalo
    • S-32 Caribe

[edit] Amphibious and service ships

  • Four Capana-class LST.[12]
    • T-61 Capana, in service since 07-24-1984
    • T-62 Esequibo, in service since 07-24-1984
    • T-63 Goajira, in service since 11-01-1984
    • T-64 Los Llanos, in service since 11-01-1984
  • One Ciudad Bolívar-class supply ship.
    • T-81 Ciudad Bolívar, in service since 09-23-2001[13]
  • One Bricbarc type/Simón Bolívar training sailboat.[14]
    • BE-11 Simón Bolívar, in service since 08-6-1980

[edit] Coast patrol corvettes

GC-21 Guaicamacuto
  • Four Spanish-made offshore patrol vessels of the BVL class (on order).
    • GC-21 Guaicamacuto, in service[15]
    • GC-22 Yavire, in service
    • GC-23 Naiguata, in service
    • GC-24 Tamanaco

[edit] Coast guard ships

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://wcbstv.com/national/hugo.chavez.venezuela.2.822252.html
  2. ^ Reuters: Russia says to send battleship to Caribbean Sea
  3. ^ "Russian navy sails to Venezuela". BBC News. September 22, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7628899.stm. Retrieved April 26, 2010. 
  4. ^ Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006, ISBN 0-7106-2692-4 p.923
  5. ^ cite web |url= http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/americas/venez.htm/
  6. ^ cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2010/08/10/venezuela-will-be-incorporating-several-non-atomic-submarines/
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/venezuela/navy-equipment.htm
  9. ^ http://www.fav-club.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=181%3Alupo-clase-mariscal-sucre&catid=37%3Aarmas-armada&Itemid=16
  10. ^ http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/povzee/
  11. ^ [2] Navantia entrega a la Armada venezolana el primer Patrullero Oceánico de Vigilancia
  12. ^ http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/americas/venez.htm
  13. ^ http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo-503011-A.R.B.V.+CIUDAD+BOLIVAR+T-81
  14. ^ a b Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006, ISBN 0-7106-2692-4 p.925
  15. ^ "Navantia Launches and Commissions Two OPVs to Venezuelan Navy". http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/warship/navantia/press8.html. 
  16. ^ Mauricio Miranda (2008-02-26). "Analizan adquisición de un guardacostas en Venezuela [Analyze acquisition of a cutter in Venezuela]". El Nuevo Diario. http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/variedades/9376. Retrieved 2012-02-02.  mirror
  17. ^ "Casi listo patrullero venezolano similar al ofertado a Nicaragua [Almost ready like Venezuelan patrol offered to Nicaragua]". Nuestro Mar. 2008-03-06. http://www.nuestromar.org/noticias/industria_naval_03_2008_casi_listo_patrullero_venezolano_similar_al_ofertado_a_ni. Retrieved 2012-02-02.  mirror

[edit] External links
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