Editing Armed Forces of Ecuador (section)

=== Navy ===
{{Main|Ecuadorian Navy}}
[[File:Ecuadorian Navy Seal.svg|right|180px|Ecuadorian Navy insignia]]

The present-day '''Ecuadorian Navy''' or (''Armada del Ecuador'') is a compact, efficient, and well-balanced force. However, limited funds hinder any major acquisitions and the chances of maintaining a strong force within the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Since the end of 2009, the Navy's structure became simplified. The Ecuadorian Naval Zone became one and measures, {{convert|2237|km|0|abbr=on}} of the [[Pacific Coast]] and {{convert|6720|km2|abbr=on}} of the [[Pacific Ocean]], (including the [[Galápagos Islands]]). Most sea-going assets are based at [[Guayaquil]]. The Navy focuses mainly on border control and illegal immigration. The [[Ecuadorian Navy|Navy]] operates around 20 major vessels (including two submarines) and 25 aircraft. It has a personnel strength of 9,400.<ref name=IISSp410/> To increase its operational capabilities it recently acquired:

* {{flagicon|Israel}} 2 [[IAI Heron|Heron 1]] [[unmanned aerial vehicles]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iai.co.il/18900-16382-en/default.aspx |title=Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) - Military Malat Products Heron 1 |publisher=IAI |access-date=28 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iai.co.il/18894-15742-en/default.aspx |title=Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) - Military Malat Products Searcher III |publisher=IAI |access-date=28 July 2010}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Israel}} 4 [[IAI Searcher|Searcher MK II]] [[unmanned aerial vehicles]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Eugenio |url=http://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/policiales/noticia/archive/policiales/2009/06/11/Seis-aviones-no-tripulados--ingresan-a-filas-navales--.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110719134053/http://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/policiales/noticia/archive/policiales/2009/06/11/Seis-aviones-no-tripulados--ingresan-a-filas-navales--.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2011 |title=El Telégrafo - Decano de la prensa nacional - Seis aviones no tripulados ingresan a filas navales |publisher=Eltelegrafo.com.ec |access-date=28 July 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midena.gov.ec/content/view/7520/1/ |title=Ministerio de Defensa Nacional de la República del Ecuador - Aviones no tripulados llegan el 11 de junio a Ecuador |publisher=Midena.gov.ec |access-date=28 July 2010 }}{{dead link|date=September 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>