Peruvian submarine makes South American debut in Rimpac naval exercises

The Peruvian submarine BAP Chipana (SS-34) has made history as the first South American submarine to join the multinational 'Rim of the Pacific' (Rimpac) naval exercises, the world's largest naval training event organized by the U.S. Navy in Hawaiian waters.

The Peruvian Navy announced that the Chipana's participation aims to bolster its operational capabilities in challenging conditions, including specialized anti-submarine warfare drills. This deployment follows a significant modernization of the submarine, which was completed in June 2025. The upgrades, involving high-engineering processes like hull cutting and key system overhauls, were conducted by Services Industriales de la Marina (Sima Perú) with technical advice from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

Joining the Chipana is Peru's multipurpose logistics vessel, the Pisco, which carries a crew of 381. The Pisco's crew has been preparing for this mission for approximately a year. The vessel is equipped for naval, logistical, and humanitarian aid operations, and its crew is undergoing rigorous training to represent Peru on the international stage.

Onboard the Pisco is a specialized task group comprising special operators, naval divers, and explosive ordnance disposal specialists. Their involvement in Rimpac will focus on enhancing interoperability, fostering experience exchange, and refining capabilities in combined operations. The entire mission is set to span over three months of intensive high-seas training.