The government of President Luis Lacalle Pou confirmed this Thursday in a press conference that it opened a call to acquire two ocean patrols that work in the care of the territorial sea and ocean surveillance.
The news had been released almost a month ago, when the commander in chief of the Navy, Jorge Wilson, announced that instead of three ships – as the force was originally required to do – only two units would be built.
The equipment, which aims to “defend national sovereignty”, “autonomy” and monitor the displacement of the navy, is expected to be available in the country in June 2024 and will cost around US $ 100 million.
As Lacalle explained, in addition to this call, the government has “on track” the transfer of three protéctor boats for US $ 4.9 million.
“Since it was our turn to take over the administration, we have made important and necessary investments,” said the president. “We have chosen to call interested parties,” he explained.
To monitor the selection of equipment and prices, the Executive Branch decided to create a monitoring commission in which all parties with parliamentary representation will be convened. In this orbit, in addition to monitoring, there will be two other commissions: a technical one, made up of Navy personnel, and another adviser, with members of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Economy and the Navy.
The president stressed that this acquisition exceeds the current administration, since “it has been discussed for a long time” and there is a “unanimous decision” in substance. “It is a long-standing desire, which not only serves the vocation of the navy and the Armed Forces, but is also an urgent need for the care of our seas. Today, unfortunately, we cannot fulfill that mission due to the shortage of equipment, “he said.
The Minister of National Defense, Javier García, who had anticipated the announcement on the last anniversary of the Uruguayan Navy, said this Thursday that it will be a “historic” process due to the volume of investment and the quality of the ships they intend to incorporate.
“Competitive processes will be carried out in parallel: one for zero-mile (new) patrol cars and another for used ones. Our will, with the amount allocated, is to go for the first option, but that will be seen according to the proposals that we will have. a historical budget figure, “he summarized.
“Sovereignty at sea is not controlled by swimming. You have to have ships. We have excellent professionals, but they have to have the equipment to carry out their mission,” Garcia insisted.
