The **Mexican Navy** (Armada de México) is a critical branch of Mexico’s Armed Forces responsible for maritime defense, internal security, and disaster relief. It ranks as the **second largest navy in Latin America and North America** and the third largest in the Americas after the United States and Brazil[2]. Its core mission is to defend Mexico’s extensive coastline (over 11,000 km) and vast maritime economic zones, combat organized crime, safeguard critical infrastructure such as Pemex oil platforms, and provide humanitarian aid during natural disasters[2]. Historically, the Mexican Navy has evolved into a modern maritime force with a growing emphasis on technological advancement and operational versatility. By 2025, the Navy operates over **200 vessels**, including patrol boats, frigates, corvettes, amphibious ships, and support vessels, along with approximately **130 aircraft** encompassing helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing planes[1][3][4]. The fleet features cutting-edge assets such as stealth patrol vessels equipped with electronic warfare systems, smart missile launchers, and advanced communications technology developed through international partnerships[1]. Key achievements include strategic interdiction of narco-submarines and smuggling operations in efforts to curb the Mexican drug war, demonstrating its increasing role in national security beyond conventional naval defense[1][2]. The Navy also maintains elite special forces units (Fuerzas Especiales) adept at complex coastal operations like hostage rescues and cartel leader apprehensions[1]. Current modernization efforts focus on expanding naval aviation, adding 20 new aircraft, and building multipurpose logistical ships to enhance operational reach and disaster response capacity—projects signaling a strategic shift toward greater self-reliance and readiness[4]. The Mexican Navy actively engages in international cooperation, participating in bilateral exercises like FENIX 2025 with U.S. Marines to improve amphibious operations interoperability, and multinational exercises such as UNITAS 2025, which enhances regional maritime security partnerships across th