Peruvian Naval Aviation

Peruvian Naval Aviation
Fuerza de Aviacion Naval
Active1919 - today
Country Peru
TypeNaval aviation
Size800
Part ofPeruvian Navy
Motto(s)Non deserit alta
AnniversariesDecember 9
Commanders
Current
commander		Rear Admiral Santiago Cobos Chavarri
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopterAgusta SH-3D
Agusta-Bell AB-212ASW
Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite
Bell 206B
Cargo helicopterMil Mi-8T
Utility helicopterSikorsky UH-3H
Mil Mi-8T
Agusta-Bell 412SP
PatrolFokker 60 MPA
Beechcraft 200T Super King Air
Fokker F-27-200
TrainerBeechcraft T-34C-1
Enstrom F-28F
TransportFokker 60 UTA
Antonov An-32B
Beechcraft 200T Super King Air
Cessna 206 Stationair
de Havilland Canada DHC-6

The Peruvian Naval Aviation (Spanish: Fuerza de Aviación Naval) is the air branch of the Peruvian Navy. It was originally formed in 1919 as the Naval Aviators Corps (Cuerpo de Aviadores Navales) but was merged in 1932 with the Peruvian Army Aviation. The service was recreated under its current name on July 3, 1963. It is currently made up of three operational squadrons and the Naval Aviation School (Escuela de Aviación Naval). The squadrons are distributed among three bases: Lima-Callao, which is part of Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport, San Juan de Marcona and Pucallpa. About 800 personnel comprise Peruvian Naval Aviation.[1]

Organization

Naval Air Squadron 11

Tasked as maritime surveillance squadron, also undertakes MEDEVAC and transportation roles. Is based in the Callao Aeronaval Station at Jorge Chavez Airport.

Naval Air Squadron 21

Embarked for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions for the Lupo-class frigate.

Naval Air Squadron 22

Had assigned the entire Sea King fleet, provides anti-submarine, anti-surface and general utility roles from ashore or embarked in the largest units of the fleet.

Naval Air Squadron 23

Provides logistical support and general utility helicopters

Naval Air Squadron 31

Basic training squadron for fixed-wing pilots, based at San Juan de Marcona aeronaval station.

Naval Air Squadron 32

Heavy-duty and general transportation squadron, operated also in the Amazon basin and VRAEM, includes:

Naval Air Squadron 33

Training squadron for helicopter pilots, also based at San Juan de Marcona.

Aircraft

Aircraft Origin Type Version In service Notes
Electronic-warfare aircraft
Fokker 50  Netherlands SIGINT Fokker 50 2[1] Two aircraft built in 1996, both acquired with spare parts in October 2014, to be upgraded by FAdeA for use as signal intelligence platform[2]
Fokker F27 Friendship ELINT Fokker F27 Friendship 1[1]
Maritime patrol aircraft
Beechcraft Super King Air  United States maritime surveillance aircraft B200T 5[1] equipped with surface-search radar and cameras for coastal surveillance and EEZ duties, the entire fleet received a complete upgrade of sensors and systems, finished in December 2010[3]
Fokker 60  Netherlands maritime patrol aircraft Fokker 60 MPA 2[1] Two aircraft acquired in February 2010,[4] delivered on June 8, 2010.[5] equipped with surface-search radar and electronic countermeasures.
Combat aircraft
Bell 212  United States ASW helicopter AB‑212ASW 5[1]
Bell 206  United States ASW helicopter 2
Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite  USA ASuW / ASW helicopter SH-2G(P) 5[1] Peruvian and Canadian defence authorities signed an agreement for five Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite multirole helicopters. The deal covers the acquisition of SH-2G helicopters in service with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) since 2001.[6]
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King  United States ASuW / ASW helicopter ASH-3D 3[1] Four delivered in 1978, two in 1979, and four ordered in 1984; deliveries of only the first six confirmed. All but first four virtually identical in capability to Italian ASH-3Hs; equipped to carry AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles.
Trainer aircraft
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor  United States trainer aircraft T-34C1 3[1] Six purchased in 1978; replaced surviving T-34As
Enstrom F-28  United States training helicopter F-28F 5[1] Six acquired in January 2008; all delivered before July. One lost in a training accident on July 9, 2009. Additional one acquired in 2010 for US$506,000.[7]
Bell 212  United States trainer aircraft AB‑212ASW 2[1] Six transferred from Italy in 1976.
two upgraded with RDR-1700B ISAR radars in 2009, one in storage.
replace Bell 206 in training role, also used as utility aircraft
Utility aircraft
Fokker 60  Netherlands utility aircraft Fokker 60 UTA 2 Two aircraft and spare parts acquired in September 2010.[8]
Mil Mi-8  Russia transport helicopter Mi-8 2[1]
Antonov An-32  Ukraine transport aircraft AN-32B 2[1] acquired from Hungary in 1994, fitted with ventral racks for general-purpose bombs, antisubmarine torpedoes and depth charges
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King  United States transport helicopter UH-3H 6[1] Six acquired from the US Foreign Military Sales program along with 12 GE T58-GE-40 engines for US$6 million. First two delivered in December, 2010, to be employed in the Makassar class LPDs, two for the Coast Guard, two in storage.[9]
Beechcraft Super King Air  United States medical evacuation / liaison aircraft B200T 1
Cessna 206 Stationair  United States liaison aircraft Cessna 206 1[1]
Agusta-Bell 412SP  Italy medical evacuation and SAR helicopter AB-412SP 3[1] acquired from Royal Dutch Airforce in 2015; ex-RNLAF 303/SAR Sqn[10]

Recently decommissioned aircraft

Aircraft Origin Type Version Retired Notes
Bell 206 JetRanger  United States training helicopter Bell 206B 2017 At least four acquired since 1982 from U.S.; one crashed in April 2002. Remaining 2 units receive a Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) in February 2012, as a part of the NVIS upgrade program for the aircraft fleet, which includes cockpit modifications, NGV googles and training.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2021). "The Military Balance 2021". The Military Balance.
  2. ^ Rivas, Santiago. "FAdeA to modify two Fokker 50 MPAs for the Peruvian Navy". Jane's 360. IHS. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  3. ^ Marchessini, Alejo. "Las adquisiciones de Defensa que han recuperado la capacidad operativa y de respuesta de las Fuerzas Armadas del Perú" (PDF). Ministerio de Defensa del Perú. Grupo EDEFA. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  4. ^ marina.mil.pe: (in Spanish) Convenio Específico para la transferencia de aeronaves entre Holanda y Perú Archived 2011-06-14 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Andina: (in Spanish) Incorporan a la Marina de Guerra del Perú dos aviones Fokker comprados a Holanda
  6. ^ Cruz Tantalean, Cesar. "Peru signs for SH-2G Super Seasprites". Jane's. IHS. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  7. ^ Programas de modernización y principales adquisiciones de las FAS de Perú. defensa.com (2011-05-12). Retrieved on 2011-05-15.
  8. ^ "Brief MINDEF - Aanbiedingsbrief Verkoop Fokker 60". (36 KB) (in Dutch). September 23, 2010
  9. ^ "Andina: {{in lang|es}} Marina de Guerra refuerza equipos con cuatro aeronaves adquiridas a Holanda". Archived from the original on 2014-09-13. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  10. ^ "Peru receives three AB-412 helicopters". 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  11. ^ Peruvian Navy Completes NVG Training, Modifications, Goggle Purchases with Aviation Specialties Unlimited. verticalmag.com (2012-02-06). Retrieved on 2012-02-10.