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Chilean sub to train in San Diego

SAN DIEGO — The Chilean navy’s diesel-electric submarine Carrera arrived in San Diego on Thursday, the latest foreign submarine that’s deployed to the U.S. to train and operate with 3rd Fleet, the Navy announced.

The visit, expected to last three months, is part of the Navy’s Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative that enables foreign navies to train with the U.S. fleet. Carrera, a Scorpene-class submarine, is the fourth Chilean submarine to participate in the program, fleet officials said in an announcement Thursday.

Navy officials in recent years have warned about increasing threats from the proliferation of the diesel-electric subs, which are among the world’s quietest boats and popular with foreign navies and rogue states. Through DESI, which includes Peru, Colombia and Brazil, the Navy gets to train its submarine crews as well as surface ships, patrol squadrons and other units to hunt and operate with the foreign subs.

While in San Diego, Carrera’s crew will be housed in on-base quarters and train alongside their U.S. counterparts.