Chile launches ambitious naval policy to build a fully domestic fleet by 2030.

Chile has taken a key step in its maritime industrial strategy. On Monday, August 4, 2025, the board of the Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (Corfo) approved the creation of the Naval Construction Committee. This body is part of the implementation of the National Shipbuilding Policy, a strategic initiative launched by President Gabriel Boric in January and force since July. Funded through the Sustainable Productive Development Program, the committee will be responsible for driving technological growth and activating the industrial value chains needed to establish a national naval production base. The ultimate objective is to ensure that all surface vessels required by the Chilean Navy are built domestically.
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The Almirante Riveros (FFG-18) is one of two Karel Doorman-class frigates transferred to the Chilean Navy from the Royal Netherlands Navy (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The policy addresses multiple objectives. Strategically, it seeks to strengthen Chile’s military autonomy by enabling national shipbuilding capacity, thereby reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and reinforcing technological sovereignty. It is also designed to provide resilience in the face of international crises, while giving the Chilean Navy greater control over the maintenance and evolution of its fleet. From an industrial standpoint, the plan is to consolidate a full production chain, from shipyards to the manufacturing of onboard systems and components, through close collaboration between the state, private companies, research institutions, and labor organizations.

Economically, the project aims to structure a sector capable of generating skilled employment, revitalizing the country’s southern regions, and diversifying the national economy beyond its reliance on raw materials. At the regional level, Chile could position itself as an exporter of components or vessels to other Latin American navies, thereby reinforcing its diplomatic and technological presence in the Southern Cone. Through this policy, the government seeks to articulate a long-term industrial vision grounded in innovation, national security, and competitiveness.

The meeting that formalized the creation of the committee was chaired by Minister of Economy Nicolás Grau, and included the participation of Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren, Minister of Social Development Javiera Toro, Undersecretary of Budget Heidi Berner, Undersecretary of Agriculture Alan Espinoza, Undersecretary of Science Cristián Cuevas, Corfo Executive Vice President José Miguel Benavente, and Minister of National Defense Adriana Delpiano. The broad representation reflects the intersectoral nature of the adopted policy.

The main purpose of the new committee is to promote effective coordination between the public and private sectors by aligning government programs aimed at supporting Chile’s naval industry. This includes identifying policies and initiatives focused on technological development, industrial innovation, and the creation of local added value. The committee is also tasked with fostering collaborative platforms that bring together private companies, research centers, and the state to implement strategic projects. Special attention will be paid to the national and regional visibility of the naval sector and its integration into broader development policies.

The Naval Construction Committee will be led by a Governing Council responsible for promoting public policies to support the sector. The council will include representatives from the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Economy, the Chilean Navy, and Corfo, and will be chaired by an independent figure jointly appointed by the Ministries of Economy and Defense. A Strategic Advisory Council with a technical role will support the committee by guiding its direction. This advisory body will include key stakeholders such as the Navy’s shipyards and workshops (Asmar), the Southern Chile Maritime Transport Association (Armasur), the National Association of Metalworking Industries (Asimet), the National Fisheries Society (Sonapesca), the National Association of Shipowners (ANA), private shipyards, Asmar labor unions, and academic institutions.

The current Chilean Navy is centered around eight second-hand frigates acquired from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands: three British Type 23 vessels (Chilean Type 23 class) and five Dutch Karel Doorman-class ships (Jacob van Heemskerck class). The Navy also operates two Scorpène-class submarines, two Thomson-class submarines (based on the Agosta design), and one multi-role logistics support ship of the Galvarino class. Amphibious capabilities are provided in part by a landing platform dock of the Foudre class, acquired from France. The Navy also maintains a fleet of offshore and coastal patrol vessels essential for monitoring Chile’s extensive maritime zones, including Patagonia and surrounding island territories.