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The Mexican navy is considering a significant expansion to its aviation element in response to concerns over its ability to protect key areas such as the Bay of Campeche oil field. Already nearing the end of a five-year programme to modernise its current fixed and rotary wing assets, the service is looking to increase the sophistication of eight aircraft sought to perform air defence and maritime strike tasks.

Mexico’s naval aviation authorities have previously examined options such as the possible procurement of Aero Vodochody’s L-159, but have now set their sights on a more capable platform, recently examining Saab’s Gripen and Sukhoi’s Su-27 as possible candidates.

Efforts to modernise the navy’s existing aircraft fleets are meanwhile nearing completion. The service recently received its fourth of eight EADS Casa C-212s configured for counter-drug and search-and-rescue duties. Equipped with a Raytheon SeaVue radar, FLIR Systems Star Safire sensor payload and EADS Casa’ FITS maritime surveillance suite, the remainder will follow by mid-2006. Two of the aircraft were upgraded to the C-212-400 standard in Spain, with the rest to be modified in Mexico at the navy’s Veracruz maintenance facility.

An upgrade to 11 of the navy’s MBB Bo105 helicopters is meanwhile scheduled for completion next October. In a move to expand its rotorcraft inventory, the service is also looking to acquire five Mil Mi-17TV1 transport helicopters.