The Senate approved the joint cooperation agreement for research, development, testing and evaluation of defense projects between Chile and the United States. The initiative was signed in 2016 during the XII Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas held in Trinidad and Tobago.
The purpose of the international agreement is to strengthen relations in the military field that currently exist between the two countries, to promote, facilitate and develop scientific and technological cooperation in the defense sector, through the respective Ministries of Defense and Armed Forces. .
It should be noted that this is the second constitutional procedure for the initiative, since it was approved in the first instance by the Chamber of Deputies. In this instance, it received the support of 29 senators, being transferred to President Gabriel Boric for its promulgation as a Law of the Republic.
It is important to mention that bilateral relations in the area of defense between Chile and the United States go back several years. Since 2007 there has been a successful experience of cooperation in the exchange of engineers and scientists, and information on research and development. In addition, both countries have resident military attachés and cooperation activities, visits by authorities, and a large operational, academic, and science and technology exchange.
New level and benefits of cooperation
According to Yerko Benavides, head of the Division of Technological Development and Industry of the Undersecretary of National Defense, Chile is currently in a third level of cooperation with the United States in specific agreements, information exchange and work program specialists, and that with the approval of this agreement a fourth level will be achieved that will allow the elaboration of cooperation programs and projects.
The authority added that up to now there have been four exchanges of information by the Army, four by the Navy, and one by the Air Force. He also indicated that the Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Logistics established the scientific exchange, the exchange of information and it is expected to establish the pillar of research, development, testing and evaluation.
Regarding the benefits of the agreement, Benavides pointed out that it raises the level of bilateral cooperation; allows to advance and deepen the work that is being carried out and improve the exchange of engineers, scientists and information; it gives continuity to the work of the Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Logistics and, mainly, allows financing the testing and development of prototypes and research, development and innovation projects.
Regarding the latter, the authority assured that the projects have dual application, since they can also be used by the civilian world, adding that the agreements that the Ministry of Defense has with universities and academies may be integrated into development projects. He also stated that the agreement will allow progress towards the ability to co-produce a new or improved military capacity that contributes to the country.
