Bolivian Navy

Last updated
Bolivian Navy
Armada Boliviana
ArmadaAB.png
Naval Emblem of Bolivia
CountryBandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg  Bolivia
Type Navy (Brown-water navy)
Part of Armed Forces of Bolivia
Patron Our Lady of Copacabana
Insignia
Naval ensign
Naval Ensign of Bolivia.svg
Naval jack
Naval Jack of Bolivia.svg

The Bolivian Navy (Spanish : Armada Boliviana) is a branch of the Armed Forces of Bolivia. As of 2008, the Bolivian Navy had approximately 5,000 personnel. [1] Although Bolivia has been landlocked since the War of the Pacific and the Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1904), Bolivia established a River and Lake Force (Fuerza Fluvial y Lacustre) in January 1963 under the Ministry of National Defense. It consisted of four boats supplied from the United States and 1,800 personnel recruited largely from the Bolivian Army. The Bolivian Navy was renamed the Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana) in January 1966, but it has since been called the Bolivian Navy (Armada Boliviana) as well. It became a separate branch of the armed forces in 1963. Bolivia has large rivers which are tributaries to the Amazon which are patrolled to prevent smuggling and drug trafficking. Bolivia also maintains a naval presence on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, which the country shares with Peru.

Contents

Landlocked Bolivia has not reconciled with the loss of its coast to Chile, and the Navy exists to keep the hope alive of recovering its coast by cultivating a maritime consciousness. [2] The Bolivian Navy takes part in many parades and government functions, but none more so than the Día del Mar (Day of the Sea) in which Bolivia, every year, re-vindicates its claim for an unspecified sovereign access to the sea.

Bolivia claims the country had access to the sea at independence in 1825. In the Boundary Treaty of 1866 between Chile and Bolivia the involved parties agreed on a border line that established a sea access for Bolivia recognized by Chile. In the War of the Pacific (18791883) Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia, and conquered the Litoral Department which included all of the Bolivian coastline. The recovery of its coast is a matter of honor in Bolivia, influencing many modern-day political actions and trade decisions.

In 2010, Peru granted Bolivia "dock facilities, a free-trade zone and space for economic activities" along with the option to "build a Pacific Coast annex for the Bolivian navy school" in a 99-year deal. [3]

Organization

The General Command of the Bolivian Navy in La Paz. Armada Boliviana, Comando General.jpg
The General Command of the Bolivian Navy in La Paz.

The Navy is organized into ten naval districts with flotilla headquarters in Guaqui, Guayaramerín, Puerto Suárez, Riberalta, and San Pedro de Tiquina and bases in Puerto Busch, Puerto Horquilla, Puerto Villarroel, Trinidad, and Rurrenabaque.

Naval vessels include several dozen boats, a dozen or more of which are for riverine patrol. Seagoing vessels, including the American-made PR-51 Santa Cruz de la Sierra and several other vessels sail the oceans with the Bolivian flag with the granted permission of the "Capitanias Navales" Naval Registration Office.[ citation needed ] The Libertador Simón Bolívar, a ship acquired from Venezuela, used to sail from its home port in Rosario, Argentina on the River Paraná. In 1993 the Navy was formally renamed the Naval Force (Fuerza Naval) and moved with the Bolivian Army and Air Force as service branches of the Armed Forces of Bolivia.

Most of the officers attend the Bolivian Naval Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Military and Naval Science, accredited by the Military University. Many naval officers later go on to further studies at the undergraduate and graduate level. Argentina's Naval Military Group in Bolivia advises on naval strategy and tactics. Many Bolivian officers train in ocean sailing on Argentinian seagoing naval ships. The Force has several Special Operations units to address both internal and external threats.

The Naval Force covers the extensive Bolivian inland waterways divided between the following Naval Districts which are named after the basin or region where they operate:

Bolivian marines marching in Cochabamba. Marines de Bolivia desfilando.jpg
Bolivian marines marching in Cochabamba.

Marine Corps

Bolivian naval infantry on top of inflatable boats. Infanteria de marina boliviana encima de lanchas inflables.jpg
Bolivian naval infantry on top of inflatable boats.

The Marine component of the FNB originated with the creation of the Marine Battalion Almirante Grau in the early 1980s. This force consisted of 600 men based on Tiquina Naval Base on Lake Titicaca. The name was later changed to Marine Battalion Independence, based in Chua Cocani (Not to be confused with the Independence Regiment (RI17) of the Bolivian army).

At present this marines maintain a similar number of troops including paramilitaries. Marine personnel are either part of Task Force Blue Devils or are stationed in various naval bases. There are currently seven infantry battalions which are distributed as follows:

The Policía Militar Naval or PMN is a speciality similar to its counterpart to the Army's Military Police, carrying out operations such as Important Persons Protection (IPP), Physical Security (SEF), or Patrol Facility (PAT) with additional duties such as Signals or naval protocol. The principal component are four police battalions:

  • AN 4 "La Paz" —— 4th Naval Area
    • 1st Naval Police Battalion —— (Batallón de Policía Militar Naval N° 1)
  • AN 1 "COCHABAMBA" —— AN 1 "Cochabamba"
    • 2nd Naval Police Battalion "Quiver" —— (Batallón de Policia Militar Naval N° 2 "Carcaje")
  • AN 2 "SANTA CRUZ"—— AN 2 "SANTA CRUZ"
    • 3rd Naval Police Battalion —— (Batallón de Policía Militar Naval N° 3)
  • Fourth Naval District Titicaca —— (Cuarto Distrito Naval "TITICACA")
    • 4th Naval Police Battalion —— (Batallón de Policía Militar Naval N° 4)

Alongside the battalions are a number of MP companies in various naval bases.

Current status

Regaining access to the South Pacific Ocean is seen as part of the national narrative for Bolivia. [4] Despite it being part of the national narrative, aspirations to negotiate access to the ocean with Chile ultimately failed following an International Court of Justice ruling. Sailors of the Bolivian Navy yearn for access to the sea and describe its current navy as experiencing locked-in syndrome (enclaustramiento). Despite this, the Bolivian Navy extensively patrols Lake Titicaca and 5,000 miles of navigable rivers, intercepting smugglers, delivering supplies to remote rural areas and rescuing people and livestock during floods. [5] In addition to local duties, the Bolivian Navy trains with the Argentine Navy and has taken part in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Haiti. [6]

Strength

Watercraft

The Bolivian Navy has a total of 173 vessels with many stationed on Lake Titicaca:

Patrol boats:

Other ships:

The Bolivian Naval Force retains about 2,000 naval infantry personnel and marines.[ citation needed ]

As of 2011, the Bolivian Naval Force retains a Cessna 402 for patrol. [9]

Ranks

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officersOfficer cadet
Naval Ensign of Bolivia.svg  Bolivian Naval Force [10]
Almt AB PNG.png Generic-Navy-(star)-O11.svg V Almt AB PNG.png Generic-Navy-(star)-O10.svg C Almt AB PNG.png Generic-Navy-(star)-O9.svg Generic-Navy-(star)-O7.svg Generic-Navy-(star)-O5.svg Generic-Navy-(star)-O4.svg Generic-Navy-(star)-O3.svg Generic-Navy-(star)-O2.svg Generic-Navy-(star)-O1.svg Generic-Navy-(star)-O0.svg
Almirante Vicealmirante Contraalmirante Capitán de navío Capitán de fragata Capitán de corbeta Teniente de navío Teniente de fragata Alférez Cadete

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Naval Ensign of Bolivia.svg  Bolivian Naval Force [11]
Blank.svg Blank.svg Sub-Oficial Primero (Senior Chief Petty Officer).png Sub-Oficial Segundo (Chief Petty Officer).png Sub-Oficial Inicial (Petty Officer 1st Class).png Sargento Primero (Petty Officer 2rd Class).png Sargento Segundo (Petty Officer 3rd Class).png Blank.svg Marinero.png Marinero De Primera (Seaman Apprentice).gif No insignia
Sub-oficial maestreSub-oficial mayorSub-oficial primeroSub-oficial segundoSub-oficial inicialSargento primeroSargento segundoSargento inicialCabo conscriptoMarinero de primeroMarinero de segunda

See also

Further reading

Related Research Articles

Transport in Bolivia is mostly by road. The railways were historically important in Bolivia, but now play a relatively small part in the country's transport system. Because of the country's geography, aviation is also important.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armed Forces of Bolivia</span> Combined military forces of Bolivia

The Bolivian Armed Forces are the military of Bolivia. The Armed Forces of Bolivia are responsible for the defence, both of external and internal, of Bolivia and they are constituted by Bolivian Army, the Bolivian Air Force and the Bolivian Navy. All these institutions depend on the Ministry of Defence of this country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peruvian Navy</span> Naval branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces

The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations and participating in international peacekeeping operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transporte Aéreo Militar</span> Former Bolivian airline

TAM – Transporte Aéreo Militar was an airline based in La Paz, Bolivia. It was owned by the Bolivian Air Force, and was established to offer flights to rural communities where commercial airlines could not operate profitably. It also operated in competition with commercial airlines on many of Bolivia's trunk domestic routes. In September 2019, the airline suspended all operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish Marine Infantry</span> Amphibious infantry component of Spains navy

The Marine Infantry is the naval infantry branch of the Spanish Navy responsible for conducting amphibious warfare. Fully integrated into the Spanish Navy's structure, the branch's history dates back to 1537 when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor formed the Compañías Viejas del Mar de Nápoles, making it the oldest marine unit in existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marines</span> Military organization specialized in amphibious warfare

Marines, or naval infantry, are soldiers who specialise at operating in littoral zones, both on land and at sea. Historically, the main tasks undertaken by marines have included raiding ashore in support of naval objectives, and the boarding of vessels during combat or capture of prize ships. Marines also help maintain discipline and order aboard the ship. In most countries, marines are an integral part of that state's navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican Army</span> Combined land and air branches of the Mexican Armed Forces

The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and is the largest part of the Mexican Armed Forces; it is also known as the National Defense Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolivian Army</span> Land warfare branch of Bolivia

The Bolivian Army is the land force branch of the Armed Forces of Bolivia. Figures on the size and composition of the Bolivian army vary considerably, with little official data available. It is estimated that the army has between 26,000 and 60,000 men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navies of landlocked countries</span> List of naval forces operated by countries that do not have a coastline

A landlocked navy is a naval force operated by a country that does not have a coastline. While these states are unable to develop a sea-going, blue-water navy, they may still deploy armed forces on major lakes or rivers. Such forces are often referred to as brown-water navies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolivian Air Force</span> Air warfare branch of Bolivias military forces

The Bolivian Air Force is the air force of Bolivia and branch of the Bolivian Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chilean Marine Corps</span> Military unit

The Chilean Marine Corps is an entity of the Chilean Navy special forces which specializes in amphibious assaults.

The Canary Islands are an autonomous community of Spain. The headquarters of the Canary Islands military command is located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the Palacio de la Capitanía General de Canarias. The following components of the Spanish Armed Forces are based in the Canary Islands:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peruvian Naval Infantry</span> Branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces

The Peruvian Naval Infantry (IMAP) is the marine infantry branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces. Consisting of 4,000 personnel, the branch, which falls under the Pacific Operations General Command, includes an amphibious warfare brigade made up of three battalions, internal security units, two troopships, four landing craft and forty armoured personnel carriers. Since 1982, IMAP detachments have been deployed in counterinsurgency operations in the Ayacucho and Huancavelica departments of Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colombian Naval Infantry</span> Military unit

The Colombian Naval Infantry, also referred to as Colombian Marines, is the marine force of the Colombian National Armada. The 53,123-member Colombian Marine Infantry is organized into a single division with four brigades, each with several battalions plus numerous small security units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boliviana de Aviación</span> Flag carrier of Bolivia

Boliviana de Aviación, legally incorporated as Empresa Pública Nacional Estratégica Boliviana de Aviación and commonly known as BoA, is the flag carrier airline of Bolivia and is wholly owned by the country's government. Founded in October 2007 and headquartered in Cochabamba, it operates most of its domestic network out of its primary hub at Jorge Wilstermann International Airport and maintains focus cities at El Alto International Airport and Viru Viru International Airport. Almost all international flights, including long-haul services to Madrid and Miami, operate out of Viru Viru airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra due to the severe limitations of El Alto International Airport in La Paz, located over 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Infantry Corps</span> Military unit

The Naval Infantry Corps are the naval infantry force of the Mexican Navy. The main task of the Infantería de Marina is to guarantee the maritime security of the country's ports and external and internal defense of the country. To accomplish these responsibilities, the corps is trained and equipped to take on any type of operations from sea, air and land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ecuadorian Navy</span> Military unit

The Ecuadorian Navy is an Ecuadorian entity responsible for the surveillance and protection of national maritime territory and has a personnel of 9,400 men to protect a coastline of 2,237 km which reaches far into the Pacific Ocean. The vessels are identified by a ship prefix of B.A.E.: Buque de la Armada del Ecuador or L.A.E.: Lancha de la Armada del Ecuador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paceña</span>

Paceña is a Bolivian beer produced in La Paz, hence its name that means the one of La Paz. The beer is produced by CBN a company that dates back to 1877 and that controls 80% percent of the Bolivian beer market. Paceña is made at about 3600 meters above sea level with purified water from the Andes.

References

  1. "Military and security service personnel strengths". CIA, THE WORLD FACTBOOK (2021 ARCHIVE). Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  2. "Bolivia's Morales to take Chile sea dispute to court". BBC News. 24 Mar 2011. Retrieved 2021-12-13. The demand for the return of its lost coastline is the subject of powerful national sentiment in Bolivia. The landlocked Andean nation maintains a small navy, and schoolchildren are taught that regaining access to the sea is a patriotic duty
  3. Salazar, Carla. "Bolivian navy can finally sail out to sea, says Peru". The Independent. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  4. Kennedy, Merrit (1 October 2018). "Top U.N. Court Dashes Landlocked Bolivia's Hopes Of Ocean Access". NPR. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  5. Carroll, Rory; Schipani, Andres. "Bolivia's landlocked sailors pine for the high seas". The Guardian. No. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  6. Beckhusen, Robert (May 2018). "Landlocked Bolivia Has a Navy?". War is Boring. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  7. "Small Combatants Built for Export". Archived from the original on 2006-05-09.
  8. "Riverboats Used in Warfare Today". 29 May 2014.
  9. Wragg, David (2011). The World Air Power Guide. Casemate Publishers. ISBN   9781844687848.
  10. Ministry of Defense (Bolivia) [@mindefbolivia] (January 9, 2020). "Conoce la jerarquía de los grados de la #ArmadaBoliviana" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 May 2021 via Twitter.
  11. Ministry of Defense (Bolivia) [@mindefbolivia] (January 16, 2020). "Hoy les invitamos a conocer la jerarquía de los grados de Suboficiales, Sargentos y Tropa de la #ArmadaBoliviana" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 May 2021 via Twitter.