[dragoon500ly]

We've discussed the U.S. presence in the Caribbean, but what of the Mexican presence?

Combat Fleets of the World, 1993 lists the Mexican Navy as follows:

Personnel: 38,000, including 9,000 marines (plans to reduce this 6,000 in 1996, in RL).

The Mexican Navy operates the following aircraft:
5 Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibians
10 Casa 212 coastal surveillance
1 DNC Buffalo
1 Fokker F-27
and 40 light fixed-wing aircraft, including: 1 Learjet 24D, 12 Beach B-55, 1 Cessna 401, 1 Beech King Air 90, 4 Rockwell Turbo-Commander, 1 Piper Aztec, 1 Cessna 337G, 1 Beech D590, 1 Cessna 206A, 1 Cessna 441, 8 Cessna 152, 3 Beech T-34 Mentors and 6 Beech F-33 Bonanza.

Helicopters include 11 MBB BO-105CB, 3 Alouette III, 4 McDonnell Douglas MD 500E and 1 MD 500, 3 Hughes 269A and 2 Bell UH-1H plus 10 SA-315 Lama SAR helos.

Warships include
2 ex US Gearing-class Destroyers, these have had the FRAM mods and mount two twin 5in/38 and a 8-tube ASROC launcher.

1 ex US Fletcher-class Destroyer, she is basically unmodified, with 5 5in/38 and four twin 40mm mounts with obsolete WWII radars and fire control equipment, reported to be in poor material condition.

1 ex US Charles Lawrence and 2 ex US Crosley-class frigates, these are former WWII high speed transports armed with a single 5in/38 and three twin 40mm. In need of replacement due to their material condition.

2 Aguila-class Corvettes (with 7 more under construction), based on the Spanish Halcon design and armed with a single 57mm/70 gun and can support a single MBB BO-105CB helo. Intended for patrol/interdiction duties.

6 Halcon-class Corvettes, mount a single 40mm/70 gun and can support a BO-105CB helo. Intended for patrol/interdiction duties.

17 ex US Auk-class former fleet minesweepers. Mount a single 3in/50 gun and two twin 40mm/60 guns. All minesweepet and ASW equipment removed prior to transfer and used for patrol duties. All in poor material condition.

12 ex US Admirable former fleet minesweepers. Mount a single 3in/50 and one twin 40mm mount. Like the Auks, all minesweeper and ASE equipment removed, used for patrol duties and in even worse material condition.

31 Azteca-class patrol boats, these are British designed and mostly built in the UK and transferred to Mexico. Armament varies ranging from a single 40mm/60 Bofors, or a single 20mm Oerlikon or a single 7.62mm mg. Used for inshore patrol duties.

2 ex US Coast Guard Cape-class patrol boats, armed with two single mount 12.7mm mgs. Used for anti-drug patrol duties.

2 ex US Coast Guard patrol boats. armed with two single mount 12.7mm mgs. Used for anti-drug patrols.

Amphibious Warfare capability is very limited, consisting of:

1 ex US Fabius-class former aircraft repair ship. A WWII LST ship fitted with repair shops and still carrying 2 LCVPs.

2 Huasteco-class Transports. Carryies up to 300 troops, but mostly used as floating infirmaries and as disaster relief ships.

1 Iguala-class Transport. Fitted w/bow and stern cargo ramps and can support 300 troops. Damaged by fire in 1989 and not fully returned to service.

1 former frigate (the Durango). Built in 1935 and has a capacity of 470 troops and a number of horses. Served as a training hulk from 1967 to 1982, but plans in 1993 for refurbishing for seagoing training and VIP cruising duties.

Mexico also operates some 44 riverine patrol craft ranging from 80 to 1.5 tons displacement and armed with a single 7.62mm mg, as well as 3 hydrographic survey and oceanographic research shisp and a variety of tugs (for harbour use).