The Peruvian Naval Aviation (Spanish: Fuerza de Aviación Naval) is the air branch of the Peruvian Navy. It was originally formed in 1919 as the Naval Aviators Corps (Cuerpo de Aviadores Navales) but was merged in 1932 with the Peruvian Army Aviation. The service was recreated under its current name on July 3, 1963. It is currently made up of three operational squadrons and the Naval Aviation School (Escuela de Aviación Naval). The squadrons are distributed among three bases: Lima-Callao, which is part of Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport, San Juan de Marcona and Pucallpa. About 800 personnel comprise Peruvian Naval Aviation.

Organization

Naval Air Squadron 11

Tasked as maritime surveillance squadron, also undertakes MEDEVAC and transportation roles. Is based in the Callao Aeronaval Station at Jorge Chavez Airport.

Naval Air Squadron 21

Embarked for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions for the Lupo-class frigate.

Naval Air Squadron 22

Had assigned the entire Sea King fleet, provides anti-submarine, anti-surface and general utility roles from ashore or embarked in the largest units of the fleet.

Naval Air Squadron 23

Provides logistical support and general utility helicopters

Naval Air Squadron 31

Basic training squadron for fixed-wing pilots, based at San Juan de Marcona aeronaval station.

Naval Air Squadron 32

Heavy-duty and general transportation squadron, operated also in the Amazon basin and VRAEM, includes:

Naval Air Squadron 33

Training squadron for helicopter pilots, also based at San Juan de Marcona.

Aircraft

AircraftOriginTypeVersionIn serviceNotes
Electronic-warfare aircraft
Fokker 50NetherlandsSIGINTFokker 502Two aircraft built in 1996, both acquired with spare parts in October 2014, to be upgraded by FAdeA for use as signal intelligence platform
Fokker F27 FriendshipELINTFokker F27 Friendship1
Maritime patrol aircraft
Beechcraft Super King AirUnited Statesmaritime surveillance aircraftB200T5equipped with surface-search radar and cameras for coastal surveillance and EEZ duties, the entire fleet received a complete upgrade of sensors and systems, finished in December 2010
Fokker 60Netherlandsmaritime patrol aircraftFokker 60 MPA2Two aircraft acquired in February 2010, delivered on June 8, 2010. equipped with surface-search radar and electronic countermeasures.
Combat aircraft
Bell 212United StatesASW helicopterAB‑212ASW5
Bell 206ASW helicopter2
Kaman SH-2G Super SeaspriteASuW / ASW helicopterSH-2G(P)5Peruvian and Canadian defence authorities signed an agreement for five Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite multirole helicopters. The deal covers the acquisition of SH-2G helicopters in service with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) since 2001.
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea KingASuW / ASW helicopterASH-3D3Four delivered in 1978, two in 1979, and four ordered in 1984; deliveries of only the first six confirmed. All but first four virtually identical in capability to Italian ASH-3Hs; equipped to carry AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles.
Trainer aircraft
Beechcraft T-34 MentorUnited Statestrainer aircraftT-34C13Six purchased in 1978; replaced surviving T-34As
Enstrom F-28training helicopterF-28F5Six acquired in January 2008; all delivered before July. One lost in a training accident on July 9, 2009. Additional one acquired in 2010 for US$506,000.
Bell 212trainer aircraftAB‑212ASW2Six transferred from Italy in 1976. two upgraded with RDR-1700B ISAR radars in 2009, one in storage. replace Bell 206 in training role, also used as utility aircraft
Utility aircraft
Fokker 60Netherlandsutility aircraftFokker 60 UTA2Two aircraft and spare parts acquired in September 2010.
Mil Mi-8Russiatransport helicopterMi-82
Antonov An-32Ukrainetransport aircraftAN-32B2acquired from Hungary in 1994, fitted with ventral racks for general-purpose bombs, antisubmarine torpedoes and depth charges
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea KingUnited Statestransport helicopterUH-3H6Six acquired from the US Foreign Military Sales program along with 12 GE T58-GE-40 engines for US$6 million. First two delivered in December, 2010, to be employed in the Makassar class LPDs, two for the Coast Guard, two in storage.
Beechcraft Super King Airmedical evacuation / liaison aircraftB200T1
Cessna 206 Stationairliaison aircraftCessna 2061
Agusta-Bell 412SPItalymedical evacuation and SAR helicopterAB-412SP3acquired from Royal Dutch Airforce in 2015; ex-RNLAF 303/SAR Sqn

Recently decommissioned aircraft

AircraftOriginTypeVersionRetiredNotes
Bell 206 JetRangerUnited Statestraining helicopterBell 206B2017At least four acquired since 1982 from U.S.; one crashed in April 2002. Remaining 2 units receive a Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) in February 2012, as a part of the NVIS upgrade program for the aircraft fleet, which includes cockpit modifications, NGV googles and training.

Gallery

External links

  • (in English)