Argentine Navy aircraft plans

Currently, the Comando de Aviación Naval (COAN, Argentinine Naval Aviation Command) has several projects to strengthen their aircraft fleet.

First to come to fruition is the delivery of the first former Norwegian P-3C, 3299 (c/n 285H-5820). The anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft is currently under rework with the firm Rockland in Starke (FL) and is expected to be delivered in September 2024.

After that, two more P-3C Orion (3297, 3298) and the sole P-3N (4576) will be delivered also. This programme is funded through Foreign Military Sales.

Another, returning, subject is the revision and attempt to get the Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM) operational again. The navy faces some technical issues, notably with the ejection seats. Two of these are now being inspected by Martin-Baker. Objective is to at least solve the issues to enable one or more test flights with one of the SEMs.

Lastly, there is a requirement for eight shipborne helicopters to replace the AS555AN that are reaching the end of their service lives. Only one or two are kept operational now. The contenders are Leonardo with the AW109M, for which a letter-of-intent (LoI) was signed last year and Airbus Helicopters with second-hand AS365N3 Dauphin.

The helicopters need to be capable to be embarked on patrol vessels, corvettes, destroyers and two of the eight helicopters are required to have Over Trans Horizontal Targeting (OTHT) capabilities. No clear time-path has been laid out but the decision should be imminent.

Credit photo: Wim Sonneveld