Chile has advanced its naval modernization program with the launch of the first ship in the Magallanes multipurpose landing class, an 8,000-ton vessel intended for the “Armada de Chile” and part of the Escotillón IV program, within the national PNCCN plan.
The ceremony took place after 46 weeks of construction at the ASMAR shipyard in Talcahuano, marking one of the country’s major naval industry milestones.
The Magallanes ship is the first in a planned series of four units, with the first two already under contract in a project estimated at around US$410 million. The second ship, Rapa Nui, had its symbolic start of construction in 2025 and is expected to be delivered at the end of the decade, reinforcing Chile’s strategy to expand its long-range amphibious and logistics operations capability.
Developed by the Canadian company Vard Marine in partnership with the state-owned ASMAR shipyard, the project was adapted to meet the operational needs of the Chilean Navy. The vessel was designed for missions in the Pacific and Antarctic regions, including troop transport, logistics support, search and rescue, and humanitarian disaster relief operations, while also featuring aviation capability and a dock for landing vehicles and craft.
At 110 meters long and with an endurance of up to 40 days, the ship can carry troops, armored vehicles, containers and helicopters, as well as operate landing craft through its well deck. Chile thus becomes the second country in Latin America to develop a ship of this category, replacing older amphibious units and expanding its operational presence in strategic areas of the continent and the Southern Ocean.
We share with you this summary of a historic day: the launch of the LPD-93 “Magallanes”, the first ship of the National Continuous Naval Construction Plan #ArmadaPorChile pic.twitter.com/X7OmDMG2S1
— Armada de Chile (@Armada_Chile) June 20, 2026
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @Armada_Chile | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
