On 18 June, 2026, after 46 weeks of construction, Chile launched the
first of four planned 8,000-ton multipurpose landing platform dock (LPD)
ships for the Armada de Chile. The vessel is the lead ship of the
Escotillón IV program, under which the first two ships are currently
under contract valued approximately US$410 million. The event marks one
of the most significant milestones in the Continuous National Naval
Construction Plan (PNCCN), a strategic initiative designed to strengthen
the country’s naval and industrial capabilities. Construction of LPD-93 Magallanes began at Astilleros y
Maestranzas de la Armada (ASMAR)’s Talcahuano shipyard in southern Chile
on February 27, 2022, with the vessel scheduled to enter service in
2027. Work on the second ship, Rapa Nui, commenced in August
2025 with the ceremonial first steel cutting, and it is expected to be
launched in the first half of 2029 and to be delivered by 2030. My story for Naval News, here.
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