O'Higgins Handed Over to the Chilean Navy

Released on Friday, September 09, 2005

DCN handed over officially the first Scorpene-class submarine ordered by Chile during a ceremony held in Cherbourg, France. O'Higgins is one of two boats ordered for the Chilean Navy in December 1997. The second boat named Carrera is undergoing trials at port in Cartagena, Spain.

Both ships have been built in partnership between DCN and Avantia, formerly IZAR, shipyards under the Scorpene advanced submarine program. O'Higgins is expected to join the Chilean Navy fleet by the end of this year. These tow submarines are expected to replace two Oberon-class ships (Hyatt and O'Brien) which have been kept into service for more than 30 years.

Scorpene-class submarines incorporate the most sophisticated technology developed in France for the French Navy. This translates into the capability of performing long endurance oceanic patrols by a medium-weight boat (1,700 tons while submerged) such as O'Higgins. Modularity is another key element that leads to customer's requirements fulfillment.

To date, Malaysia has ordered another two submarines based upon Scorpene design and Spain is expected to build four larger Scorpene versions under S-80 program.