Air Forces of Latin America- Chile

Chilean military aviation has a long history, but in the past 25 years it has experienced unprecedented growth, accompanying the development of the Chilean economy and the country’s more active participation in regional and world affairs. Since the mid-1990s, considerable expansion programmes have been developed for the Air Force, Naval and Army aviation, which have made the Chilean air arm one of the most modern and powerful in Latin America. The Carabineros and the Policía de Investigaciones (Investigative Police), dedicated to internal security, make up the total of five Chilean state organisations that use aircraft. While Chilean military aviation has never taken part in a conflict, it has experienced years of tension with the country’s three neighbours. Although relations have since improved, there are new challenges to be faced, especially after 2018, when the country’s domestic situation worsened and violence in the south increased.