Ecuador
is investing about US$125 million to modernize two war submarines in Chilean
Navy shipyards, according to the Ecuadoran Ministry of Defense.
The “Shyri” submarine was delivered by the Chilean Navy
Armory and Shipyards (ASMAR) on Oct. 19 at the Talcahuano
port, about 500 kilometers (310.7 miles) south of Santiago,
the ministry said in a statement. Another submarine, named “Huancavilca” is
undergoing the identical modernization process at ASMAR and should be ready by
February 2014.
“The units are property of the Ecuadoran Naval Force and
will be used to defend national sovereignty,” the ministry said, adding the
contract signed between the two nations in 2008 includes personnel training.
“[The modernizing of the submarines] will benefit the country, since it will
allow for better control of territorial waters, as well as combating drug
trafficking and transnational crime.”
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