Navies From Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Chile to Discuss Requirements at OPV Latin America Meeting

LONDON, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Senior-level officers of regional navies from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as international representatives from the US Coast Guard and US DoD will be leading sessions at Defence IQ's inaugural Offshore Patrol Vessels Latin America event, taking place from 21-23 May, 2012 at the Centro de Convenções Bolsa do Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 3-day forum provides the first ever collaborative conference with the Brazilian Navy to explore patrol craft and surface combatants across Latin America. At this networking platform for naval and maritime security decision makers, procuring authorities and key industry leaders, attendees will learn about opportunities within the Latin American market, the latest mission feedback, cutting edge designs, use of new materials and adoption of latest technologies.

Event Chairman Rear Admiral Francisco Deiana, Director of Naval Engineering, Brazilian Navy will be joined by speakers including:

• Rear Admiral Rodolfo Henrique De Saboia, Fleet Renewal Programme Coordinator, Brazilian Navy
• Vice Admiral (Retired) Carlos Afonso Pierantoni Gamboa, President of ABIMDE
• Vice Admiral (Retired) Marcelio Carmo De Castro Pereira, President, EMGEPRON
• Admiral Roberto Garcia Márquez, Commander of the Navy, Armada Nacional de Colombia
• Vice Admiral Jorge Luis Gross Albornoz, Commander of the Navy, Armada del Ecuador
• Rear Admiral Giancarlo Stagno, Director of Programs, Research and Development, Chilean Navy

The speaker list is available on http://www.opvlatinamerica.com.

With the rapid increase in Latin America's defence budgets and the revival of the shipbuilding market in Brazil, in part due to a major naval renewal programme, the region is fast-becoming a focus for international companies.  The event aims to introduce international industry to regional leaders in order to better understand the defence market within Latin America, and features a special workshop on "Engaging the Brazilian Navy," led by representatives of the Brazilian Navy, ABIMDE, EISA, INACE, Estaleiro Rio Grande and Estaleiro Mauá.

Current participating industry leaders include Damen ShipYards, Navantia, Fincantieri, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, Raytheon, STX Marine, SaabAB and more.

For the full programme and speaker faculty, please visit http://www.opvlatinamerica.com or email opv@iqpc.co.uk.

Defence IQ is an authoritative news source for high quality and exclusive commentary and analysis on global defence and military-related topics. Join almost 60,000 defence professionals today for free: http://www.defenceiq.com/join.cfm.

Contact: Kim Vigilia, +44(0)207368-9510, opv@iqpc.co.uk