ARC ''Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera'' is the sixth in a number of progressively improved heavy
riverine
A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of wate ...
patrol and support vessels of the
Colombian Navy (''Armada de la República de Colombia - ARC''). Specifically, it is classified as a PAF-IV (Spanish: ''Patrullera de Apoyo Fluvial - Pesada'' - 4th generation). The ship is named in honor of the Marine Infantry Frigate Lieutenant Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera,
[Spanish: ''Teniente de Fragata, Infantería de Marina (TEF IM)''] who died in 2004 after wounds sustained in combat during operations in the Colombian eastern plains.
[Colombian Navy website article announces vessel launch (Spanish)](_blank)
.
Background
In addition to the more common tasks of a
blue-water navy
A blue-water navy is a maritime force capable of operating globally, essentially across the deep waters of open oceans. While definitions of what actually constitutes such a force vary, there is a requirement for the ability to exercise sea cont ...
and coast guard, the
Colombian Navy (ARC) also has shared responsibility for patrolling the extensive Colombian network of rivers. During the years 2000–2005, the ARC had been slowly but steadily expanding and modernizing its fleet of PAF riverine patrol vessels, and had worked with
COTECMAR in the indigenous design and construction of the previous types of PAF vessels (generations I- III). By 2005, the ARC commissioned COTECMAR for a new design that would include and build upon the experiences gathered with the previous generations of vessels.
[COTECMAR-Heavy riverine patrol vessel overview (Spanish)](_blank)
/ref> Some of the desired capabilities included extended range/endurance, helipad capability for provisioning and SAR/medevac, newer or upgraded offensive and defensive systems and improved support for embarked Marine Infantry units and smaller dependent patrol boats, such as the 'Piraña' and 'Anguila' boats.
The futuristic look of ARC Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera and its angled surfaces is due to the incorporation of modern design techniques in ballistic protection and marine shipbuilding, and has given rise to the occasional comment about it being a "stealth" vessel. It was designed and built by COTECMAR, a Colombian state-owned shipping design and construction company.
Service
The vessel was launched into service on July 26, 2006.
See also
* Military Forces of Colombia
* Colombian armed conflict (1964–present)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera, ARC
Patrol vessels of the Colombian Navy
Ships built in Colombia
2006 ships
Patrol vessels of Colombia
Riverine warfare