The Mexican Navy (official name SEMAR) is a branch of the Mexican Military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order"[1]. The Mexican Navy consists of over 55,500 men and women, over 300 ships, and 70 aircraft.[2] The Mexican Navy has entered a constant modernization program, in order to upgrade its response capability.
For Mexico's huge mass of water the importance of its navy is really decisive, mainly to protect PEMEX's oil wells in Campeche over the Mexican Gulf. Another important task of Mexican Navy is to help people in hurricane relief operations, applying "Plan Marina" (Navy plan) in order to help affected people