On July 1, 2025, two legislative resolutions were published that authorize the entry and transit of foreign naval units with armament to Peruvian territory. Both resolutions aim to strengthen international cooperation in defense and security between Peru, Japan, Brazil , and Colombia .
According to the documents, the participation of foreign naval units in multinational exercises and protocol visits in the country is addressed, especially in the context of the Amazon River and the Puerto del Callao .
The Legislative Resolution No. 32397 authorizes the entry and transit of naval units Kashima and Shimakaze of the Japan Self-Defense Maritime Force, which will make a protocol visit and a training cruise in Peru.
The vessels will be in the port of Callao from July 23 to 27, 2025, participating in an exchange and training with the Armed Forces of Peru . These class units Kashima and Shimakaze are equipped with weapons such as naval cannons, launch tubes, and advanced radar and communication systems, including OPS-14 anti-aircraft radar and OPS-18 surface radar .
The ship Kashima has a crew of 360 personnel , a displacement of 4,050 tons , and is armed with a 76 mm naval cannon , alongside triple launch tubes. On the other hand, Shimakaze has a crew of 260 and is outfitted with 5-inch cannons , along with systems such as 20 mm CIWS and a launcher.
The Legislative Resolution No. 32398 authorizes the entry of several naval units from Brazil and Colombia , which will participate in the multinational exercise Bracolper Naval 2025 , a joint simulation in the Amazon River . Brazil’s naval units include patrol vessels Raposo Tavares (P-21) and Rondonia (P-31), while Colombia will contribute the gunboat Arauca (ARC-137) and support patrol Tecim Eddd Cristian Reyes Holguín (ARC-615).
These vessels, which will dock at the port of Iquitos from July 25 to 29, 2025, are also equipped with significant armament. The Raposo Tavares (P-21) carries 40 mm Bofors cannons and 20 mm Oerlikon machine guns, while the Rondonia (P-31) has a similar setup, complemented by 81 mm mortars . The gunboat Arauca (ARC-137) of Colombia is fitted with 40 mm MK-19 and M2HB machine guns. Lastly, the Tecim Eddd Cristian Reyes Holguín (ARC-615) is equipped with 7.62 mm M240B machine guns and 81 mm mortars .
In addition to the weapons, these units boast advanced electronic systems , including anti-aircraft radars, echo-sounding technology, and GPS, which are crucial for executing joint operations in the complex river environment of the Amazon.
The Bracolper Naval 2025 exercise represents one of the principal multinational cooperation activities in the region, aimed at enhancing interoperability between the naval forces of Peru, Brazil, and Colombia . In addition to exchanging technical knowledge, the exercise will focus on improving patrol and control capabilities in the Amazon River—a zone of significant strategic importance, particularly concerning issues related to drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
The Brazilian and Colombian units, with their respective advanced weapon systems, will play a crucial role in the defense of the Amazon region and facilitate joint security operations. Training activities, patrols, and simulations of emergency situations will help participating nations improve their emergency response capacities, especially in combating organized crime .
The resolution permitting these foreign naval units to operate in Peru underscores the nation’s commitment to enhancing relations with neighboring countries, particularly in vital fields such as defense and security. The Peruvian armed forces continue to bolster their operational capabilities through these exercises, which will also provide Peruvian officers with invaluable experience in multinational operations and the management of cutting-edge technologies, including radars and communication systems from foreign units.
Peru has achieved significant progress, moving to the 49th position in the Global Firepower 2025 military strength ranking, displaying improvements in infrastructure, aviation, and artillery, surpassing Paraguay , which ranks 87th . However, in terms of Naval Force, Paraguay, despite its landlocked status, holds the 41st position, while Peru ranks 42nd . Within South America, Paraguay boasts the third most powerful fleet, while Peru ranks fourth .
Regionally, Colombia leads South America’s naval forces, possessing a fleet of 233 vessels and ranking 10th globally. This fleet includes patrol boats, submarines, corvettes, and frigates dedicated to security, surveillance, military operations, and humanitarian missions.