MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US LTS and oiler vessels for Peru and Chile navies

LST-1182 USS Fresno

Three decommissioned vessels from the United States Navy will be transferred in coming months to Peru and Chile once the US Congress approves the operation which is expected to happen at the end of the month, according to defence affairs publication “Enfoque Estratégico”.

Peru should be receiving two Tank Landing Ship units belonging to the Newport class which can transport a full 400 men battalion plus support vehicles. The two vessels are "LST-1182 USS Fresno" and "LST-1191 USS Racine", which were commissioned in 1969 and 1971 and have been decommissioned since 1993. Chile will receive an oil tanker Class Henry Kaiser which was delivered to the US Military Sealift Command, MSC, in 1987 and decommissioned in 1996. The Chilean Navy has an only bunker, "Araucano" which was built in Denmark 41 years ago. However the US vessel is more of a "logistic" unit since it can transport other liquid fuels, dray cargo, spares and ammunition. With some minor modifications this vessel could also transport troops or be equipped as a repair and maintenance work shop. According to Chile's Navy commander Admiral Rodolfo Codina purchase, refurbishing and re-equipment of the vessel will demand an estimated 50 million US dollars. The US Navy Henry Kaiser class belongs to the fleet of replenishment oilers of which 16 were constructed between 1984 and 1996.