President Dina Boluarte announced the upcoming creation, implementation, and development of the National Amazon Surveillance System (SIVAN) and the National Amazon Protection System (SIPAN) during her message to the coutry on the 203rd anniversary of the independence.
“I present to this honorable Congress of the Republic this second draft law which declares as a national interest the creation, implementation, and development of the National Amazon Surveillance System (SIVAN) and the National Amazon Protection System (SIPAN),” she said before the National Parliament.
These systems will complement the efforts of operational forces in combating the various multidimensional threats and risks affecting the preservation of the Amazon and will serve as tools for national development.
In this endeavor, she added, modern technology will be leveraged to monitor and protect the territory from the increasing illegal activities.
The announcement could be seen as the beginning of a procurement process for the defense sector, potentially strengthening its capabilities, particularly in radar systems and turbo-propeller combat aircraft for interdiction.
The President also referred to the criminal activities of transnational gangs involved in drug trafficking, illegal logging, and clandestine gold mining, which lead to river contamination.
The prevention, control, repression, and prosecution of these illegal actions fall under the responsibility of the National Police of Peru, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Attorney General), and the Judiciary, with support from the Armed Forces.
In this context, the Navy plays a crucial role due to its greater capabilities, carrying out riverine surveillance through the General Command of Amazon Operations (COMOPERAMA).
It includes the Amazon Marine Infantry Battalions “Lieutenant Second Raúl Riboty Villalpando” No. 1 (Iquitos) and “Lieutenant First Sergio Gonzales Quevedo” No. 2 (Ucayali); riverine operations units of the General Directorate of Captaincies and Coastguards; and the flotilla of river gunboats.
The Air Force, which two decades ago was tasked with neutralizing suspicious foreign aircraft with its Cessna A-37B and Embraer EMB-312 Tucano, would be well-suited for the investments involved in this project.
It is hoped that, following this presidential announcement, adequate funding will finally be allocated to achieve the necessary capability to fulfill the commitment.
Additionally, the reactivation of the anti-drug agreement with the United States could contribute to modernizing detection, tracking, and interception systems, enabling more effective operations.
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