Europe's Leading Naval Defence Group Partnering the Chilean Navy

, VALPARAISO, Chile: In October 2006, DCN subsidiary DCN Log signed a memorandum of understanding with Chilean naval shipyard ASMAR on through-life support and maintenance services for the Chilean Navy's Scorpene submarines. This agreement is testimony to the DCN group's commitment to long-term cooperation with local contractors in Chile and throughout South America. 
 
DCN is at the Exponaval international show in Valparaiso, Chile, from 28 November to 1 December to showcase its capabilities as a naval systems integrator. As illustrations of ongoing programmes, the DCN stand features FREMM multimission frigates, Mistral LHDs (also known as force projection and command vessels) and the Scorpene conventional-propulsion submarine, with Spanish partner Navantia. 
 
Carrera, the second Scorpene submarine ordered by the Chilean Navy, left Cartagena, Spain, on 24 October for her home port of Talcahuano, Chile. Carrera's sistership O'Higgins made the same journey a year earlier. The delivery of this second submarine is further evidence of the DCN group's expertise in naval prime contracting and international industrial partnerships. With ten units delivered or on order, Scorpene has set a new standard for submarine fleets the world over. 
 
The DCN stand also features the Subtics combat management system developed by UDS International and installed aboard Agosta 90B and Scorpene submarines in service with the navies of Pakistan and Chile, respectively. Building on this success, UDS International won the contract, in partnership with Chilean contractor SISDEF, to modernise the combat systems of the customer's U209 boats. This programme calls for the integration of tactical weapons deployment systems, Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes and Migal interface units. 
 
A consistent innovator, DCN has stepped up and continues to expand its R&D effort to broaden its product portfolio and respond more effectively to customers' emerging needs. The SMX-23 is a case in point. This all-new submarine concept is optimised for safe, precise navigation in shallow waters and missions ranging from special operations to intelligence gathering and mine-laying. 
 
Gowind corvettes are another example. These highly innovative vessels are designed for littoral defence, particularly anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare and maritime safety and security. 
 
To illustrate its experience in advanced system integration, DCN is displaying the BEST (Boosted Electrical propulsion System Technology) hybrid propulsion system for FREMM frigates which combines gas turbine power, low operating cost of diesel prime movers and the acoustic discretion of electric propulsion. 
 
Last but not least, DCN offers services for every naval need, including through-life support, modernisation and training. Through agreements and partnerships with local shipyards and contractors like ASMAR and SISDEF, DCN helps client navies to meet technical and logistic support challenges.