Mexican Navy

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The Mexican Navy (official name Secretaría de Marina or SEMAR) is a branch of the Mexican Military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order"^[1]. The Mexican Navy consists of over 55,500 men and women, over 300 ships, and 70 aircraft.^[2] The Mexican Navy has entered a constant modernization program, in order to upgrade its response capability.

For Mexico's huge mass of water the importance of its navy is really decisive, mainly to protect PEMEX's oil wells in Campeche over the Mexican Gulf. Another important task of Mexican Navy is to help people in hurricane relief operations, applying "Plan Marina" (Navy plan) in order to help affected people.

The commander in chief of all military forces is the President of Mexico. Day-to-day control of the Mexican Navy is the Navy Secretary (currently Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza).

The Mexican Navy is divided into two main forces, the Fuerza Naval del Golfo (Naval Force of the Gulf and the Fuerza Naval del Pacifico (Naval Force of the Pacific).

Despite being the less-favored of the two branches of the Mexican military, the Navy has a reputation for being a well-run and organized outfit. This reputation allows for a close relationship with the U.S. Navy, as evidenced by the procurement of numerous former USN ships by its Mexican counterpart.

The Navy mainly consists of surface ships, with few aircraft. In recent years, the Mexican Navy has showed interest in acquiring supersonic fighters^[3] and larger transport ships, such as two Austin class ships.^[4]

The Mexican Navy operates six frigates, all of them ex-United States Navy warships.

• Allende class: ex-USN Knox class frigates
  • ARM Allende (FF-211) (formerly USS Stein (FF-1065))
  • ARM Abasolo (FF-212) (formerly USS Marvin Shields (FF-1066))
  • ARM Victoria (FF-213) (formerly USS Pharris (FF-1094)
  • ARM Mina (FF-214) (formerly USS Whipple (FF-1062)
• Bravo Class: ex-USN Bronstein class frigates
  • ARM Bravo (FF-201)
  • ARM Galeana (FF-202)

• Quetzalcoatl Class
  • ARM Netzahualcoyotl (D-102)
• Manuel Azueta Class
  • ARM Manuel Azueta (D-111)

• Panuco Class
  • ARM Manzanillo (A-402)
• Papaloapan Class
  • ARM Papaloapan (A-411)
  • ARM Usumacinta (A-412)

• Huracan Class (ex-Saar 4.5 Class missile boat)
  • ARM Huracan (A-301) (formerly INS Aliya)
  • ARM Tormenta (A-302) (formerly INS Geula)

The Mexican Navy has over 30 OPV, most of them of national design and more than 60 smaller patrol boats. In total, the Mexican Navy has over 300 operational ships

• 8 Aviocar casa-212
• 1 Buffalo DHC-5D
• 1 Learjet 60
• 1 Learjet 31-A
• 1 Learjet 25-D
• 1 Saberliner 60
• 4 Turbocommander
• 5 Baron B-55
• 5 Bonanza F-33
• 9 Lancair
• 14 Maule MX-7
• 7 Redigo L-90TP
• 10 Zlin
• Fighters: 10-12 Su-27SKM and one Su-30MK2 aircraft will be arriving soon into Mexico

• Surveillance: Eurocopter Panther, Eurocopter Fennec, McDonnell Douglas MD 902 Explorer, Bolkow BO-105 Super 5
• Transport: Mi-17, Mi-2
• Trainers: Robinson R-44, Rotor Way EXEC 162F

• HMMWV
• Gama Goat
• Ural-4320
• BTR-70
• Other minor transport vehicles as buses, trucks, pick-ups, and cars.

From the beginning of the year 2006, the Mexican Military decided that if they could get the necessary budget, they would pick the Sukhoi Su-27 as their interceptor. The decision was made after several FAM pilots flew to Russia and Sweden to try the Su-27's and the JAS 39 Gripen respectively. Throughout the year 2006, there was considerable speculation on the specific Su-27 version that the SEMAR (Secretaría de Marina) would opt to acquire. The SEMAR announced in December of the past year that they are interested specifically in the Su-27SKM version.

In several publications it has been mentioned that the purchase of the Sukhoi's would require a cost of approximately 450 million dollars, half of the present budget of the SEMAR. On the other hand, apparently, the SEDENA is not supportive of this purchase, because, if made, the Mexican Air Force would be left disadvantaged with the powerful Sukhoi's of the Navy.

It is planned to acquire twelve Su-27SKM and one Su-30MK2 aircraft.^[5]

• Naval ranks and insignia of Mexico