The Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, Admiral Juan Andrés de la Maza , explained his National Naval Construction Policy and how the development of the naval industry will be promoted in the shipyards that have been under construction for decades in Arica, Valparaíso, Valdivia, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, in addition to the already emblematic ASMAR in Talcahuano.
"We want to promote shipbuilding as a fundamental element of national development throughout the country," said Admiral De la Maza .
"Therefore, this national policy of continuous shipbuilding is designed as a national industry and, in this case, will give Chile technological independence; it will generate jobs in regions with shipyards, such as Arica, Valparaíso, Valdivia, Puerto Montt, and Punta Arenas, which will undoubtedly be hubs for creative and productive development," explained the head of the Chilean Navy.
"This policy is a real incentive for the country's productive reactivation, for its decentralization, and for public-private investment. There are very compelling and successful examples around the world of how life has changed in cities with shipyards. Projects of this magnitude transcend governments because they are long-term ," De la Maza asserted.
The statements by the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy were made after a British delegation headed by the Chief of Strategic Planning of the Royal Navy, Captain Thomas Shaves , visited the Naval Operations Command and the Naval War College within the framework of the 10th General Staff Meeting between the Navies of the United Kingdom and Chile .
Shaves was received and accompanied by the Director of Planning of the General Staff, Rear Admiral José Agustín Pájaro . Both representatives signed "bilateral agreements that reinforce the professional exchanges and the transfer of technical knowledge applicable to both institutions,” stated the Noticias Navales portal.
The Head of the British Navy's Strategic Planning Department told Naval News: "We have had years of historic cooperation with the Chilean Navy. It's a significant relationship, based on ships, sales, cooperation, and training. And I believe it will continue to strengthen. We need friends and allies around the world, and Chile is a staunch friend. I believe we have a duty and responsibility to maintain this relationship in a challenging world, building on our strong track record."
For his part, the Director of Planning of the General Staff of the Chilean Navy commented that: "The relationship between the Navies of Chile and the United Kingdom has a unique historical depth and has deepened over time. We have common challenges and interests that converge to a greater space and opportunities for collaboration, especially in times when there are important challenges developing in the world. At this meeting of General Staffs we open new lines of relations in the military sphere, regarding the optimization of resources and in naval construction, in addition to some new technologies that are being developed in the field of defense."
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