Chilean navy receives new P-68 patrol plane

Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The Chilean navy received its new P-68 Observer 2 patrol aircraft, which will be used to support maritime surveillance throughout the country.

The plane, delivered to the branch on Jan. 18, was purchased from Italian aerospace contractor Vulcanair. It is the second out of seven aircraft supporting Chile's Piquero Project, and features improvements over the Chilean navy's old Skymaster aircraft.

"We were looking forward to changing a plane like the Skymaster with over 50 years of life. Now, we are going to have a much more capable aircraft, which will support us in monitoring and exploring the vast maritime space we have under our responsibility," Rear Admiral Luis Sánchez explained in a press release.

After the Chilean navy formally received the new aircraft, the old Skymaster plane was relocated to the Concón Air Force Base after logging a total of 2,860 flight hours since entering service in 2006.

Once placed into service, the P-68 will be used for medical evacuation, transport, and search-and-rescue missions in addition to patrolling the country's Exclusive Economic Zone.

"It is a search and rescue aircraft that incorporates new capabilities, specially designed for the permanent tasks carried out by the Maritime Authority," Commodore Carlos Fiedler added. "It has a great autonomy and can operate day and night, 24/7."