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{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Dominican Navy
|native_name= {{lang|es|Armada de Republica Dominicana}}
|image=Marinadeguerrareproduccioncheposo.svg
|image_size=210px
|caption= 
|start_date=15 April 1844 
|country=[[Dominican Republic]]
|branch= Navy
|type= Navy
|role=
|size= 13,200 personnel,<ref name=IISS409>{{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2021 |author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=25 February 2021 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=[[London]] |page= 409 |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref> 34 ships
|command_structure=
|current_commander= Vice Admiral Juan Bienvenido Crisostomo Martínez.
|battles= [[Dominican War of Independence]]<br>[[Dominican Civil War]]
|notable_commanders= * Adm. Juan Bautista Cambiaso
|anniversaries=April 15
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=[[File:Naval Ensign of the Dominican Republic.svg|200px]]
|identification_symbol_label=Naval Ensign
|identification_symbol_2=[[File:Naval Jack of the Dominican Republic.svg|200px]]
|identification_symbol_2_label=Naval Jack
}}

The '''Navy of the Dominican Republic''' ({{langx|es|Armada de Republica Dominicana (ARD)}}), is one of the three branches of the [[Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic]], together with the [[Dominican Army|Army]] and the [[Dominican Air Force|Air Force]].

==History==
[[File:Santo domingo 1850.jpg|The three Dominican schooners later on in [[Santo Domingo]] circa 1850.|left|thumb|300px]]

After the [[Dominican Republic]] gained its independence from [[Haiti]] on February 27, 1844, there was a need to create a naval fleet. Three [[schooner]]s were [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] for this, {{ship|Dominican schooner|Separación Dominicana||2}} ([[flagship]]), ''María Chica'' and ''Leonor''. These were the original three Dominican vessels which were incorporated in the newly created [[Navy of the Dominican Republic|Dominican Navy]] as authorized by the [[Congress of the Dominican Republic|Junta Central Gubernativa]] with the Naval Act of 1844 on April 23, 1844, the same day the Navy was created. Even though, the three schooners had been in action since April 15 at the [[Battle of Tortuguero]], where they were led by Admiral [[Juan Bautista Cambiaso]] and sank six Haitian ships.

During the [[Dominican Civil War]], a part of the Navy opposed the "Return to the Legitime Government" which was victim of a [[coup d'état]] in September 1963 and used the [[frigate]] {{ship|Dominican frigate|Mella|F451|2}} to bombard the [[National Palace (Dominican Republic)|National Palace]] with the help of the Air Force.

On the other side of the conflict, The elite navy force "Hombres Ranas" (Frog Men) under Commander Ramon Montes Arache, fought to bring the 1962 democratically elected president back in office. The other navy commanders were afraid of the "Hombres Ranas" taking control over [[Las Calderas Naval Base]]. ''See'' [[United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965–1966)]]

==Naval bases==
The Navy maintains several naval stations and detachments, but has three main bases:

* Base Naval 27 de Febrero, located in the city of [[Santo Domingo]], the Chief of Staff and the Naval Academy "Vice-Admiral Cesar de Windt Lavandier".
* Base Naval de Las Calderas, located in [[Peravia Province]], is the largest naval base. The Bahia Las Calderas Naval Shipyard (ANABALCA) is located here. This shipyard is responsible for the maintenance of naval units of the fleet, as well as civilian vessels.  Military and civilian vessels, such as tugs, boats, barges, pilot boats have also been built at this site.
* Base Naval Boca Chica, located in [[Boca Chica]], 35&nbsp;km east of Santo Domingo.

==List of current vessels==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align: left; width:22%;"|Class
! style="text-align: left; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; width:7%;"|In service
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
! style="text-align: left;"|Image
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | '''Patrol Division'''
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
| [[USCG seagoing buoy tender]] (Mesquite class)<ref name =combat>{{cite book | last = Wertheim | first = Eric | title = Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 2007 | location = Annapolis, Maryland | pages = 163 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C&q=Almirante+Didiez+Burgos+Citrus&pg=PA163 | isbn = 978-1-59114-955-2}}</ref>
|PA-301 {{ship|Dominican patrol boat|Almirante Didiez Burgos||2}}
|{{USA}}
|1
|The flagship of the Dominican Navy, she was transferred by the [[United States Coast Guard]] (USCG) in 2001. She is used for coastal patrol, navigational aid maintenance, [[midshipman]] cruises, humanitarian assistance, naval training exercises, troop transport, and at sea refueling. She is armed with two [[M2 Browning machine gun|M-2 0.50 caliber machine guns]] and two single [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|Oerlikon 20&nbsp;mm cannon]], but can also be armed with two extra 0.50 cal. machine guns, two M60 machine guns and one 3/50 (single) gun.
|[[File:Patrullero PA-301.JPG|200px|PA-301 ''Almirante Juan Alejandro Acosta'']]
|-
| [[White-class coastal buoy tender]]
|[[USCGC White Pine|PM-203 ''Tortuguero'']]  <br />[[USCGC White Sumac|PM-204 ''Capotillo'']]
|{{USA}}
|2
|''Tortuguero'' and ''Capotillo'' were transferred to the Navy by the USCG in 1999 and in 2002, respectively. They are used for coastal patrol, navigational aids maintenance, midshipman cruises, humanitarian assistance, naval training exercises, and at sea refueling. They are armed with two M2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|[[File:Capotillo PA-204.jpg|200px|PM-204 ''Capotillo'']]
|-
| Tejo class [[Offshore Patrol Vessel]]
|{{POR}}
|2 on order
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | '''Coast Guard Division'''
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
| {{sclass2|Point|cutter|1}}s
|GC-101 ''Aries'' <br /> GC-105 ''Antares'' <br /> GC-110 ''Sirius''
|{{USA}}
|2
|They are used for coastal patrol, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with two M2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|[[File:Antares GC-105.jpg|200px|GC-105 ''Antares'']]
|-
|Seawart-class patrol boat
|GC-103 ''Procion'' <br /> GC-104 ''Aldebarán'' <br /> GC-106 ''Bellatrix'' <br /> GC-108 ''Capella''
|{{USA}}
|4
|They were acquired between 1968 and 1971. Between 2003 and 2005 they underwent a general renovation, receiving new engines, new generators, new radars, GPS navigation system, auto-pilot system, etc. They are used for coastal patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with three M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|[[File:Bellatrix GC-106.jpg|200px|GC-106 ''Bellatrix'']]
|-
|Swiftships 110'-class patrol boat
|GC-107 ''Canopus'' <br /> GC-109 ''Orión''
|{{USA}}
|2
|Built in 1984 by the Swiftships shipbuilders. Between 2003 and 2005 they underwent a general renovation, receiving new engines, new generators, new radars, a GPS navigation system, and an auto-pilot system. They are used for coastal patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with two M2 0.50 cal. machine guns, one Oerlikon 20&nbsp;mm cannon (single) and one M60 machine gun.
|[[File:Orion GC-107.jpg|200px|GC-109 ''Orion'']]
|-
|Swiftships 35-meter patrol boat
|GC-112 ''Altair''
|{{USA}}
|1
|Built in 2003 by the Swiftships shipbuilders. It is used for coastal patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. It is armed with two M2 0.50 cal. machine guns and one single-mounted Oerlikon 20&nbsp;mm cannon.
|[[File:Dominikanische Republik Altair (PB 112).jpg|200px|GC-112 ''Altair'']]
|-
|Swiftships 36 meter
|GC-111 ''Centaurus''
|{{USA}}
|1
|Built in 1976 by the Swiftships shipbuilders as research vessel for University of Delaware. The Dominican Navy acquired it in 2017. Is used for coastal patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. 
|[http://www.shipspotting.com/photos/middle/4/7/1/1107174.jpg] EX-Hispaniola in Santo Domingo before was acquired by the ARD.
|-
| {{sclass2|Defiant|patrol vessel|1}} ||GC-102 ''Betelgeuse'' <br /> GC-114 ''Arcturus''
|{{USA}}
|Built by Metal sharks shipbuilders. Used for coastal patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations.<ref name=diariolibre2020-07-08/><ref name=navalnews2020-08-21/>
|[https://www.metalsharkboats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Metal-Shark-85-Defiant-Near-Coastal-Patrol-Vessel-NCPV-US-Navy-Damen-Stan-Patrol-Dominican-Republic-Betelgeuse.jpg]
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | '''Salvage and Rescue Unit'''
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|[[Damen Stan patrol vessel|Damen Stan Patrol 1500-class patrol boat]]
|LR-151 ''Hamal'' <br /> LR-152 ''Vega'' <br /> LR-153 ''Deneb'' <br /> LR-154 ''Acamar''
|{{DOM}}
|3
|These patrol boats were built in The Dominican Republic by Astilleros CIRAMAR in 2004. They are used for coastal patrols, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations. These patrol boats are unarmed, but they carry M16 rifles and can be fitted with an M60 machine gun. 
|[[File:Deneb LR-153.jpg|200px|LR-153 ''Deneb'']]
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | '''Interceptor Boat Division'''
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|32' - 37' {{sclass2|Justice Boston whaler|boat|1}}
|LI-155 ''Castor'' <br /> LI-156 ''Pollux'' <br />LI-157 ''Atria'' <br /> LI-158 ''Shaula'' <br /> LI-159 ''Enif'' <br /> LI-161 ''Elnath'' <br /> LI-162 ''Polaris'' <br /> LI-165 ''Regulus'' <br /> LI-166 ''Denebola'' <br /> L-167 ''Acrux'' <br /> LI-168 ''Rigel'' <br /> LI-169 ''Algenib''<br /> LI-170 ''Becrux''
|{{USA}}
|13
|They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations, and go-fast interdiction. Justice 32' can be armed with a M60 machine gun and Justice 37' with three M60 Machine guns and they carry small arms such as rifles and shotguns.
|[[File:Lanchas 01.jpg|200px|''Elnath'', ''Polaris'' and ''Nunki'']]
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | '''Auxiliary Vessels Division'''
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|Damen Stan 2608-class tug
|RM-2 ''Guarionex'' <br> RM-3 ''Guaroa''
|{{DOM}}
|2
|Built in the Dominican Republic by CIRAMAR. They are currently being operated on a lease by the company ''SVITZER Dominicana''.
|[[File:Guaroa RM-3.jpg|200px|RM-3 ''Guaroa'']]
|-
| LCU-1600-class [[Landing Craft Utility|landing craft utility]]
|LD-31 ''Neyba''
|{{USA}}
|1
|
|
|-
|Floating docks
|DF-1
|{{USA}}
|1
|Operated by CIRAMAR.
|
|-
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | '''Training'''
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|Three-masted [[barquentine]]
|BE-01 [[Juan Bautista Cambiaso (ship) |''Juan Bautista Cambiaso'']] <br /> 
|{{BUL}}
|1
|Originally named Royal Helena, the ship was launched on 29 August 2009 in Varna, Bulgaria. She can accommodate up to 37 midshipmen for multiple-day journeys. In 2018 the ship was acquired by the Dominican Navy and renamed Juan Bautista Cambiaso. She is 54 metres (177&nbsp;ft 2 in) long with a beam of 8 metres (26&nbsp;ft 3 in). 
|[https://diariodominicano.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Barco-Dominicano-en-NY-2022-07-03-1024x683.jpeg]
|-
|}

==Ranks==
{{main|Military ranks of the Dominican Republic}}
===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Dominican Republic}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Dominican Republic}}
|}

==Dominican Naval Auxiliary Corps==
The Dominican Naval Auxiliary Corps is a civilian force that possesses its own resources to assist in search operations, rescue and environmental protection. This organization was created by the Executive by Decree 887-09 and it is composed of a group of business and professional volunteers.

The organization operates private boats, barges and aircraft made available to the Navy, in order to assist with non-military activities or public order and safety at sea. The Dominican Naval Auxiliary has a presence in the north, northeast, east, south and center of the country.

==Naval Commandos==
The Naval Commandos are the Special Operations component of the Dominican Navy and are only employed in emergency situations. The Naval Commandos are capable of undertaking unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, VBSS (Visit Board Search and Seizure) and are experts in handling explosives and amphibious operations. They are also trained in parachuting, hand-to-hand combat, CQC and other key skills. The team's armament includes the [[M16 rifle]] with the [[M203 grenade launcher]], [[M4 carbine|the Colt M4A1]], [[M14 rifle]], [[Mossberg 500]] shotgun, the [[M60 machine gun]] and small arms. The team operates inflated [[zodiac boat]]s, [[RHIB]]s, and night vision goggles, among other equipment.

Some team members saw action during [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]. Dominican troops, comprising a battalion of special components of the Dominican Armed forces, were under constant mortar attacks but suffered no casualties. While in [[Iraq]], the troops were serving in the [[Plus Ultra Brigade]], which was under Spanish command and operating in Southern Iraq.

==Marine Infantry Command ==
Raised in 2008 the MIC serves as the youngest arm of service in the Dominican Navy, which is tasked for amphibious and landing operations. One Marine Battalion is of active service as of the present. It is also the youngest Marine unit in all of Latin America.

==See also==
*[[Military of the Dominican Republic]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=diariolibre2020-07-08>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/armada-dominicana-incorpora-un-buque-guardacostas-donado-por-estados-unidos-GA20644200
| title       = Armada Dominicana incorpora un buque guardacostas donado por Estados Unidos
| work        = [[Diario Libre]]
| date        = 2020-07-08
| location    = [[Santo Domingo]]
| language    = es
| trans-title = Dominican Navy incorporates a coastguard vessel donated by the United States
| access-date  = 2020-08-23
}}
</ref>

<ref name=navalnews2020-08-21>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/08/dominican-navy-commissions-first-near-coastal-patrol-vessel/
| title       = Dominican Navy Commissions First Near Coastal Patrol Vessel
| work        = [[Naval News]]
| author      = Xavier Vavasseur
| date        = 2020-08-21
| access-date  = 2020-08-23
| quote       = The Dominican Navy (Armada de Republica Dominicana) took delivery of, and commissioned, its first Near Coastal Patrol Vessel (NCPV). The vessel, Betelgeuse (102), was donated by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program and was built by Metal Shark.
}}
</ref>
}}

==External links==
* [http://www.marina.mil.do/ Marina de Guerra Dominicana] {{in lang|es}}

{{Navies in Latin America}}

[[Category:Dominican Navy| ]]
[[Category:Military of the Dominican Republic|Navy]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1844]]