Design of forces for the South American navies: The useful and the necessary
Abstract
South American navies have historically designed their forces based on state threats. However, since the beginning of this century, many of them have embraced the capacity-based development model, directing their efforts to dimensioning them in a multipurpose framework, based on the fact that the globalized world presents more uncertainties than visible threats. Current geopolitics is leaving important lessons about rethinking the methodology to design forces. States can no longer hesitate to strengthen their armed forces to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity, as stated in their constitutions and defense policies. Opting for a top-down and clearly defined model to face state threats will be the best way to size our forces and meet the national interests and strategic objectives of defense policies. The modern military history of each State will obviously provide a solid starting point. To this should be added its economic realities and a cyclical revision of the models used. In this way, the force designed will be up to the task and consistent with the current world reality. What is useful and necessary will be the most important premise.