The President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, and the Defense Minister, Javier García, led the commemorative act of the 205th anniversary of the National Navy. On the occasion, the Secretary of State assessed the integration of ships into the fleet and announced that in 2023 a coastal patrol donated by the Republic of Korea will arrive in the country. “Everything we are incorporating is essential for Uruguay,” he said.
Also participating in the activity were the Undersecretary of National Defense, Rivera Elgue; the general director of the portfolio, Fabián Martínez; the undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Guillermo Maciel; the commander in chief of the Navy, Jorge Wilson, and other national authorities.
President Lacalle Pou reviewed the naval forces formed together with Commander Wilson. After singing the stanzas of the national anthem, the National Navy medal was awarded to retired superior and junior personnel.
During the activity, the ships of the force were anchored, among them, the training ship Capitán Miranda and the Protector class boats, recently arrived, called ROU 14 Río Arapey, ROU 15 Río de la Plata and ROU 16 Río Yaguarón.
García highlighted, in dialogue with the media, the presence of the new coastal patrols donated by the United States and the ROU Artigas, whose repair process was completed and which is once again operational.
In addition, he stated that obtaining naval equipment offers better possibilities and greater incentives for personnel to continue their professional career within the National Navy. In this sense, he announced that the Republic of Korea will donate a coastal patrol, whose arrival is expected for the second half of 2023.
The hierarch also mentioned that efforts are being made to incorporate ocean-going vessels, a measure that he classified as an old desire of Uruguay in terms of defense. “That’s called sovereignty,” he said.
In his speech, Wilson celebrated the renewal of the fleet and the effort of the Uruguayan State to achieve this objective.
Likewise, Lacalle Pou, García and Wilson placed a wreath at the foot of the monument in homage to the members of this force who fell at sea. Then a parade was held in the Plaza de la Armada Nacional. Presidency
