MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Top Naval Expo opens in Viña del Mar

Chile's Minister of Defence Jaime Ravinet and the Chilean Navy Commander Admiral Miguel Vergara will open next Tuesday November 30 in Viña del Mar the IV International Naval Expo and Latinamerica Naval Defence Conference.

Rear Admiral Charles Style, Commander of United Kingdom Maritime Force since May 2004 and a former commander of Flag Fleetship HMS Illustrious will be participating in the international event.

The Naval Expo sponsored by Chilean Ministry of Defence and Navy, and the city of Viña del Mar has attracted over a hundred companies from 25 different countries that will be showing the latest field technology, defence systems, patrolling and surveillance equipment, supplies for naval industries as well as sophisticated gear for special operations and Marine forces.

Considered the largest show of its kind in Latinamerica, and second only to Euronaval, among the countries participating are Holland, Germany, France, Greece, US, Sweden, China, Korea, UK, Spain, Russia and Italy.

An estimated 8,000 visitors are expected to tour the show most of which high ranking officers from different navies, Ministers and Deputy Defence ministers, official delegations and military attachés.

The conference schedule begins with Commander in Chief of the Chilean Naval Admiral Vergara who will talk about "Facing asymmetrical threat at sea". Other open debates for visiting officers and naval experts are, "Naval defence and emerging threats", and "Incidence of emerging threats in the maritime scenario".

The show officially closes Friday December 3.