Military age 18 years of age | ||
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Commander-in-chief President Michelle Bachelet Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lieutenant General Arturo Merino Available for
military service Males age 15-49: 3,815,761 (2005 est), age 15–49 Fit for
military service Males age 15-49: 3,123,281 (2005 est), age 15–49 Reaching military
age annually Males: 150,084 (2005 est) Minister of defense José Antonio Gómez Urrutia Similar Chilean Army, Chilean Navy, Chilean Air Force, Peruvian Army, Peruvian Navy | ||
The Armed Forces of Chile (Fuerzas Armadas de Chile) are subject to civilian control exercised by the president through the Minister of Defense. This conscription service can be postponed for educational or religious reasons. In recent years and after several major reequipment programs, the Chilean Armed Forces have become one of the most technologically advanced and professional armed forces of South America.
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Army
The current commander-in-chief of the Chilean Army is General de Ejército Sr. Humberto Oviedo Arriagada. The 80,000-person army is organized in seven divisions and one air brigade. The army operates German Leopard 1 and 2 tanks as its main battle tanks. The recent purchase of 200 second-hand Leopard 2A4CHL from the German army is now being delivered.
Navy
Admiral Edmundo González Robles directs the 25,000-person Chilean Navy, including 4,800 Marines. Of the fleet of 66 surface vessels, eight are major combatant ships and they are based in Valparaíso. The navy operates its own aircraft for transport and patrol; there are no fighters or bomber aircraft but they have attack helicopters. The Navy also operates four submarines based in Talcahuano.
Air Force
Gen. Jorge Rojas Avila heads 11,000 strong Chilean Air Force. Air assets are distributed among five air brigades headquartered in Iquique, Antofagasta, Santiago, Puerto Montt, and Punta Arenas. The Air Force also operates an airbase on King George Island, Antarctica.