Uruguay - Military Industry

Uruguay did not export any military equipment. The domestic defense industry was very limited in scope and produced only the most basic military supplies, such as small-arms ammunition, uniforms, and stores. The only exception was the navy's shipyard, which built small patrol craft and was capable of providing drydock, overhaul, and repair support.

Military aviation is under the Ministry of Defense. Within it is the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) and the Naval Aviation Command of the Navy. The latter boasts a Naval Aviation General Maintenance workshop (MAGAN) which has repair, structure, non-destructive testing, hydraulic, painting, maintenance of survival equipment and lathe workshops. The FAU has different workshops in its air force bases which include: maintenance and repair, avionics, measuring, metrology, chemical laboratory and a non-destructive testing workshop.

Regarding education, within the FAU orbit is the Aeronautical Technical School (ETA) and the Aviation Training Institute. The ETA aims to select and train Aeronautical technicians from the FAU using a comprehensive approach. In 2011, under an agreement signed with the Council on Technical Education (CETP – Ex UTU) the ETA was granted permission to train not only military personnel but also civilians, which formed part of a process of integration and institutional development of the FAU through the Aeronautics Technological High School.

The ETA is the only institution in the country which trains aviation technicians, in the technical, cultural and military areas, developing the required skills to perform maintenance tasks, operation and administration of aviation material and equipment.

The Aeronautical Training Institute (IAA) is the agency in charge of education, training and development for professionals interested in civil aviation activity. The Institute, situated at the Angel S. Adami Airport, offers courses such as private pilot, commercial pilot, air traffic controllers, airline flight operations management, among others.

There are 23 workshops in the country authorized by DINACIA performing aircraft maintenance and repair11. They are located in the vicinity of the country's airports and aeroclubs, especially the Airport of Carrasco, Melilla and the Rivera Aeroclub. These workshops employ 150 people of which 100 are authorized mechanics. Employees are qualified, they must obtain a license to work on a particular type of aircraft and airline. These permits must be renewed every one or two years.