Chile Submarine Capabilities

The Chilean Navy currently operates a flotilla of four diesel-electric attack submarines. The fleet comprises of two Thomson-class (Type 209/1400) submarines and two Scorpène-class submarines, all of which are based in Talcahuano.¹

Total Submarines in Fleet: 4

• Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBNs): 0
• Nuclear-Powered attack submarines (SSNs): 0
• Diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs): 4
• Air-independent propulsion (AIP) enabled: 2/4

Submarines

Chile’s two Thomson-class submarines, the CS Thomson (SS-20) and CS Simpson (SS-21), were constructed by German firm Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel. Chile’s two Scorpène-class submarines were jointly developed and constructed by the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia and French company Naval Group. The O’Higgins (SS-23) was built at the Naval Group shipyard in Cherbourg and commissioned in 2005. The Carrera (SS-22) was built at the Navantia shipyard in Cartagena and commissioned in 2006.²

In 2009 Naval Group upgraded the Thomson (SS-20) to operate the Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS) Submarine Combat System and carry the Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subaquei (WASS) Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes. In 2012, Naval Group upgraded the Simpson (SS-21) with these capabilities as well.³ Further modernization is underway to keep these submarines in service until 2030, at which point they are scheduled to be replaced after 46 years in service.⁴ It is likely that the replacements will be similar to the Scorpène-class submarines and will feature air-independent propulsion systems (AIP) and have advanced sonar and weapon systems capabilities.⁵ Despite Chile’s rapid modernization and replacement rate, it is not expected that it will expand beyond its current fleet of four diesel-electric submarines.⁶

Chilean company Vapor Industrial announced in 2012 that they are planning to construct a Crocodile-class 250 submarine. The vessel, introduced as a “light SSK,” is intended to be used in a coastal-littoral denial role, outfitted with both wire-guided torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.⁷ While the construction of the Crocodile-class submarine was expected to take 12-18 months, there are no official updates on the status of the vessel.⁸

In early 2024, Chile used its submarine capabilities off the coast of the Juan Fernández Islands to monitor the activities of Chinese fishing vessels and to halt any illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.⁹

Ship Biographies

Thomson-Class (Type 209/1400-L)

Chile possesses two Thomson-class diesel-electric attack submarines. These submarines are 64.6 meters long with a 6.5-meter beam and can travel up to 22.5 knots when submerged. They can remain submerged for about 50 days without surfacing and are armed with eight 533mm torpedo tubes. Their weapons system can carry up to 14 torpedoes. The Thomson-class submarines can support a crew of 36 people.¹⁰

Scorpène-Class

Chile possesses two Scorpène-class diesel-electric attack submarines. These submarines are 61.7 meters long with a 6.2-meter beam and can travel up to 20 knots when submerged. They can remain submerged for about 50 days without surfacing. The Scorpènes are equipped with flank-area sonar and six 533mm torpedo tubes that can deploy WASS Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes and SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles with a range of 50km. Their weapons system can carry a total of 18 torpedoes and missiles or 30 mines. These submarines also possess an AIP system and employ the SUBTICS combat management system. The Scorpène-class submarines can support a crew of 32.¹¹

Imports

The Chilean government imported two Type 209 submarines from Germany’s HDW in 1984, and two Scorpène-class submarines from France’s Naval Group in 2005 and 2006.¹²

Exports

Chile is not an exporter of submarines.