Chile Naval Drone Program

The Chile Naval Drone Program centers on indigenously developed reconnaissance UAVs to enhance maritime surveillance along Chile's 3,000-mile coastline and Antarctic approaches. Its primary purpose is to provide autonomous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, complementing frigate-based radar patrols with real-time imaging over ranges up to 150 km, thereby reducing reliance on foreign systems and improving oversight of exclusive economic zones threatened by illegal fishing fleets. Key milestones include the launch of initial flight tests off Valparaíso on October 21, 2025, by the Chilean Navy, marking the program's transition from development to operational trials. These UAVs, produced by national startup IDS AeroTech, demonstrated early success in extended-range imaging, with no further public updates on full deployment or additional platforms as of late 2025. Chilean drone regulations under the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) support such military operations through frameworks like DAN 151 and DAN 91, enabling beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights for public service missions with prior authorization. The program's strategic significance lies in bolstering Chile's maritime domain awareness amid growing regional threats, fostering technological self-reliance, and positioning the navy for scalable ISR in contested waters. While no other specific naval platforms are detailed beyond these UAVs, the initiative aligns with broader Latin American defense trends toward unmanned systems, though integration with surface or submarine drones remains unconfirmed in available sources.