Welcome to OPV & Surface Combatants Latin America 2014
The 2012 and 2013 conferences comprehensively explored partnership and business opportunities for global industry in the region and delivered two exceptional agendas for Brazil. Now, after two years in Rio de Janeiro, Offshore Patrol Vessels & Surface Combatants Latin America returns for 2014, in the new location of Cartagena, Colombia.
Officially supported by COTECMAR and the Colombian Navy, the 2014 conference will examine topics intrinsic to the OPV and combat ship market such as shipbuilding capacity, systems design, damage control, program management and operational capability. Latin America continues to be one of the more dynamic naval markets in the world with new OPV procurement projects emerging in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Mexico. These complement the large maintenance and upgrade requirements within Brazil and Chile.
Colombia is right at the epicentre of this dynamism where, under the Colombian Navy’s 'Orion Plan', 6 OPVs are being built by 2015. What effect will this new class of vessel have on the regional marketplace? Are these the export models of the future?
So, according to Dr. Juan Carlos Pinzón Bueno, Colombian Defence Minister, WHY DO BUSINESS IN COLOMBIA?
COLOMBIA AT A GLANCE
- The Colombian economy is growing at over 4.5% yearly
- Foreign investment now accounts for around 28-29% of GDP and the government would welcome more
- Colombia has enjoyed 3 consecutive years of credit rating agency upgrades
COLOMBIA AS A STRATEGIC SECURITY PARTNER
- Colombia has recently signed agreements with NATO and the EU as a prelude to enable greater trade and export licensing
- The Colombian Police Force enacts bilateral engagement with every country in the Caribbean Basin and Latin America
- The Police are investing in delivering additional effect in support of the Green Heart anti-drug project
- The Colombian Police Force is set to swell its numbers by 15000 to help assure security in the country- these additional officers will - need physical protection
THE FUTURE OF COLOMBIAN DEFENCE CAPABILITY
- There is an on-going strengthening, modernization and transformation programme for the military
- The military is moving towards a model of aligned force capability with additional focus placed upon rapid deployment, flexibility and multi-purpose capability
- They are procuring helicopters, airlifters and, significantly, hovercrafts
- The Colombian military is investing heavily in technology and personnel
- The Colombian Defence Minister places a serious amount of priority on ISR capability
WHY OPV 2014?
Our inaugural OPV Latin America conference responded to demand from the region following the success of our long-standing OPV conference series. Incorporating similar themes to our European, Asian and Middle Eastern events, OPV Latin America 2013 offered a unique perspective on the procurement strategy and operational concepts of key Latin American navies.
Following the success of last year’s event OPV & Surface Combatants Latin America 2014 is the only naval event in South America that provides an honest assessment of how to balance requirements and capability with acquisition and operational costs while sharing combating solutions to the most prevalent security concerns.
In addition to revealing procurement and acquisition strategies and inspecting several fleet renewal and OPV projects, the event will include in-depth technological presentations covering innovative solutions on system integration and capability implementation.
Register at ASDEvents and receive 10% discount.
Venue & Accommodation
Hilton Cartagena
Avenida Almirante Brion, El Laguito
Cartagena
130001, Colombia
Website: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/colombia/hilton-cartagena-hotel-CTGHIHH/index.html
Phone: 57-5-6948000
Accommodation
Travel and accommodation are not included in the registration fee. However a number of discounted bedrooms have been reserved at the Hilton Cartagena. Please contact Jairo Manzur (Jairo.Manzur@Hilton.com) at the hotel directly on Tel:575 6930881 and quote booking reference IQPC to receive your discounted rate, prices start from $230 including breakfast. There is limited availability so we do encourage attendees to book early to avoid disappointment.
Register at ASDEvents and receive 10% discount.
Early-confirmed speakers:
- Vice Admiral Hernando Wills Vélez, Commander, Colombian Navy
- Vice Admiral Humberto Ramírez Navarro, Director General of Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine, Navy of Chile
- Vice Admiral José A. Sierra Rodríguez, Director General of Naval Construction, Mexican Navy
- Rear Admiral Daniel Héctor Núñez Rodríguez, Commander of the Fleet, National Navy of Uruguay
- Rear Admiral Jorge Enrique Carreño Moreno, President, COTECMAR
- Rear Admiral César Federico Cier Sáenz, Director of Naval Enlistment, Navy of Peru
- Major General Kenrick Maharaj, Chief of Defence Staff, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (Pending Ministerial Approval)
- Commodore Stephen Braham, Head of Global Combat Ship Integrated Export Team, UKTI, Royal Navy
- Captain Oscar Tascon, Director of Research and Development, COTECMAR
Register at ASDEvents and receive 10% discount.
The agenda is available as PDF under downloads at the right side of the page.
Register at ASDEvents and receive 10% discount.