AIR FORCE UPGRADING, PUDAHUEL INTERNATIONAL AIRFIELD, CHILE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81T00380R000100760001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 18, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 1, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T00380R000100760001-9
secret
Imagery analysis report
Air Force Upgrading, Pudahuel
International Airfield, Chile (S)
Secret
Z-20006/81
IAR-A006/81
JANUARY 1981
copy 17 0
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T00380R000100760001-9
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AIR FORCE UPGRADING, PUDAHUEL
INTERNATIONAL AIRFIELD, CHILE (S)
1. (S/D) A Mirage aircraft, a nearly complete military support area, and completed runway
resurfacing were observed at Pudahuel International Airfield Figure 1), Chile, on
imagery of This airfield, now referred to as Arturo Merino Benitez Interna-
tional Airfield, is 7 nautical miles (nm) northwest of Santiago, Chile.
2. (S/D) Chile has contracted with France for 16 Mirage-50 fighter/bombers. Deliveries
began in June 1980. Eight were to be delivered in 1980 and eight in early 1981. Reports indicate
that three were seen operational and a fourth was being assembled in September 1980. The
Mirage-50 has an estimated range of 770 nm.1 The Mirage seen at Pudahuel was the first seen at a
Chilean airfield and was parked on a taxiway near a group of buildings in the civilian support
area. Also seen were two A-37 ground attack aircraft, a C-47 transport, and a small straight-wing
aircraft (Figure 2). This is the first observation of military aircraft at this airfield.
3. (S/D) A secured military support area was nearly complete at the northwest corner of the
airfield complex. The area consists of a rectangular concrete parking apron, three concrete hangar
aprons, two concrete alert aprons (one outside the security fence), three hangars, five support
buildings, two earth-covered storage bunkers, a security building, and a separately secured re-
vetted area. No aircraft have been seen within this area; however, reports state that Chile's
Mirages will be based at this airfield.'
4. (S/D) Resurfacing of the airfield's runway, underway since April 1979, has been com-
pleted and the runway is serviceable. During the resurfacing period, the parallel taxiway was used
as the runway.
IMAGERY
(S/D) Satellite imagery of
DOCUMENT
*Extracted information is classified SECRET
S Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed
l~~ Third World Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
WNI NTEL
Z-20006181 SECRET
IAR-AO06/81
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