Counter-Terror, Counterinsurgency and Counter-Trafficking Equipment for Latin America

摘要

Military forces in Latin America are faced with enormous challenges, both with respect to personnel and equipment, to fight against insurgency and drug trafficking. The detection and engagement of those asymmetric actions has spurred great interest in platforms (e.g., land vehicles, manned/ unmanned aircraft and surface patrols), excellent sensors, lethal and Iess-than lethal weapons, and networking or C4ISR/C4ISTAR systems. Platforms of different kind are being used for anti-terror, counterinsurgency (COIN), and counter-trafficking operations. Besides land vehicles equipped with remotely controlled weapons stations, UGVs, and manned/ unmanned aircraft, there are also sea-going patrol vessels that are being employed to counter asymmetric threats. For the maritime environment, where the risks of terrorist and illegal actions have grown exponentially in recent years, the industry offers a variety of highly agile platforms. Among them is the High-Speed Interceptor Craft (HSIC), which is now also being eyed by non-military security organisations. For example, the Swedish Combat Boat 90 (CB90) is a class of fast military assault craft, which was originally developed for the Royal Swedish Navy. Manufactured by the Swedish yard Dockstavarvet, it is being used by a variety of international customers (e.g., Brazil, Malaysia and Mexico) against smugglers, terrorists and pirates. The Mexican Navy acquired 44 CB90HMN aluminium boats, of which eight craft (armed with remote controlled 12.7mm turrets) were domestically constructed on the basis of a production licence granted in 2002. The craft are being employed in the interception ("Patrulla Interceptora") role for anti-narcotics and anti-terrorist actions.