Argentine Navy

{{short description|Naval warfare branch of Argentina}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Navy of the Argentine Republic | native_name = {{lang|es|Armada de la República Argentina}} | image = Armada argentina emblem.svg | image_size = 150 | caption = Shield, the red [[Phrygian cap]] symbolizing pursuit of liberty | start_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1810|05|25}} | country = {{flagu|Argentina|size=23px}} | allegiance = | branch = [[Navy]] | type = | role = | size = 18,368 (2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2018/03/19/argentina-hace-publica-la-cantidad-de-personal-militar-en-sus-fuerzas/|title=Argentina hace publica la cantidad de personal militar en sus fuerzas|date=19 March 2018|website=zona-militar.com|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428161336/https://www.zona-militar.com/2018/03/19/argentina-hace-publica-la-cantidad-de-personal-militar-en-sus-fuerzas/|archive-date=28 April 2018}}</ref> | command_structure = [[Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic|Argentine Armed Forces]] | garrison = [[Puerto Belgrano Naval Base]] | garrison_label = Main Base | equipment = 2 [[submarine]]s (not operational) 3 [[destroyers]] 6 [[corvette]]s 11 [[patrol boat]]s 1 [[amphibious warfare ship]] 19 [[auxiliary ship]]s | equipment_label = [[List of active Argentine Navy ships|Fleet]] | nickname = | patron = | colors = Light blue and white | colors_label = | march = Navy March<ref>From the 1936 movie [[La muchachada de a bordo]] composed by Manuel Romero and Abraham Soifer</ref> | mascot = | battles = {{ubl|[[Argentine War of Independence]]|[[Argentine Civil Wars]]|[[Argentine invasion of Monterey]]|[[Thomas Cochrane campaign]]|[[Liberating Expedition of Peru]]|[[Cisplatine War]]|[[Uruguayan Civil War]]|[[Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata]]|[[Uruguayan War]]|[[Paraguayan War]]|[[Battle of El Espinillo]]|[[Revolución Libertadora]]|[[1963 Argentine Navy revolt]]|[[Cuban Missile Crisis]]|[[Falklands War]]|[[Gulf War]]|[[Operation Uphold Democracy]]}} | anniversaries = May 17 (Navy Day) | decorations = | battle_honours = | website = {{URL|https://www.argentina.gob.ar/armada|argentina.gob.ar/armada}} | current_commander = President [[Javier Milei]] | commander1 = | commander1_label = Commander-in-chief | commander2 = Vice Admiral Juan Carlos Romay | commander2_label = [[List of Chiefs of the General Staff of the Argentine Navy|Chief of General Staff]] | commander3 = Counter Admiral Fernando Daniel Terribile | commander3_label = Deputy Chief of General Staff | commander4 = | commander4_label = | commander5 = | commander5_label = | commander6 = | commander6_label = | commander7 = | commander7_label = | commander8 = | commander8_label = | commander9 = | commander9_label = | notable_commanders =  | identification_symbol = [[File:Naval jack of Argentina.svg|100px]] | identification_symbol_label = Jack | identification_symbol_2 = [[File:Flag of Argentina.svg|100px]] | identification_symbol_2_label = Ensign | identification_symbol_3 = | identification_symbol_3_label = | identification_symbol_4 = | identification_symbol_4_label = | identification_symbol_5 = | identification_symbol_5_label =  | aircraft_attack = [[Eurocopter Fennec|AS-555 Fennec]] | aircraft_bomber = | aircraft_fighter = | aircraft_interceptor = | aircraft_recon = | aircraft_patrol = [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3C/N Orion]] (started service entry in 2024/25) [[Beechcraft Super King Air|BE-200 Cormorán]] | aircraft_trainer = [[T-34 Mentor]] | aircraft_transport = [[Pilatus PC-6 Porter|PC-6 Porter]] [[Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King|SH-3 Sea King]] }}

The '''Argentine Navy''' ('''ARA'''; {{langx|es|Armada de la República Argentina}})<ref group=NB>. This forms the basis for the navy's [[ship prefix]] "ARA".</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=The Argentine Navy's Recent Past in Photographs|journal=Warship International|year=1988|number=1|pages=84–88}}</ref> is the [[navy]] of [[Argentina]]. It is one of the three branches of the [[Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic]], together with the [[Argentine Army|Army]] and the [[Argentine Air Force|Air Force]].

The [[Navy Day#Argentina|Argentine Navy day]] is celebrated on May 17, anniversary of the victory in 1814 at the [[action of 14 May 1814|Battle of Montevideo]] over the Spanish fleet during the [[Argentine War of Independence|war of Independence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ara.mil.ar/hist_origen.asp#05|title=Historia de la Armada Argentina (in Spanish)|website=ara.mil.ar|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216065126/http://www.ara.mil.ar/hist_origen.asp#05|archive-date=16 December 2008}}</ref>

The Argentine Navy was created in the aftermath of the [[May Revolution]] of May 25, 1810, which started the [[Argentine War of Independence|war for independence]] from [[Spanish Empire|Spain]]. The navy was first created to support [[Manuel Belgrano]] in the [[Paraguay campaign]], but those ships were sunk by ships from Montevideo, and did not take part in that conflict. Renewed conflicts with Montevideo led to the creation of a second fleet, which participated in the capture of the city. As Buenos Aires had little maritime history, most men in the navy were from other nations, such as the Irish-born admiral [[William Brown (admiral)|William Brown]], who directed the operation. As the cost of maintaining a navy was too high, most of the Argentine naval forces were composed of [[privateer]]s.

Brown led the Argentine navy in further naval conflicts at the [[Cisplatine War|War with Brazil]] and the [[Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata]].

In the 1870s the Argentine Navy began modernizing itself. At the close of the century, the force included:

* 5 [[armoured cruiser]]s * 4 coastal defence [[ironclad warship|ironclads]] * 3 second-class, high-speed, British-built [[cruiser]]s * 7 modern small cruisers and [[gunboat]]s * 4 [[destroyer]]s * 22 [[torpedo boat]]s{{sfn|Keltie|1900|p=349}}

The most powerful ships at this time included the Italian-built {{ship|ARA|Garibaldi||2}} and her sister ships: {{ship|ARA|General Belgrano|1896|2}}, {{ship|ARA|Pueyrredón||2}}, and {{ship|ARA|San Martín||2}}, each at over 6,000 tons. Three older ironclads, {{ship|ARA|Almirante Brown|1880|2}}, {{ship|ARA|Independencia|1891|2}}, and {{ship|ARA|Libertad|1892|2}} dated from the 1880s and early 1890s.{{sfn|Keltie|1900|p=349}}

The navy's ships were built primarily in Italy, Britain, France, and Spain, and were operated by over 600 officers and 7,760 [[Sailor|seamen]]. These were supported by a battalion of [[Marine (military)|marines]] and an artillery battery.{{sfn|Keltie|1900|p=349–350}}

===1910–1982=== {{see also|South American dreadnought race}} [[File:Argentine Rivadavia Class Battleship 1912.jpg|thumb|upright|{{Sclass|Rivadavia|battleship}} under construction in the US for the Argentine Navy. Photo taken in 1912. Two ships of this class entered service in 1914–1915 and served until 1956.]]

A [[South American dreadnought race|naval arms race between Argentina, Brazil and Chile]], the most powerful and wealthy countries in South America, began when the Brazilian government ordered three [[dreadnought]]s. The first, [[Brazilian battleship Minas Geraes|''Minas Geraes'']], was commissioned into the [[Brazilian Navy]] in 1910.

For most of both world wars, Argentina was [[neutral country|neutral]], only [[Argentina during World War II|declaring war on the Axis in March 1945]]. In 1940 Argentina's navy was ranked the eighth most powerful in the world (after the European powers, Japan, and the United States){{Request quotation|date=July 2025}} and the largest in Latin America. A ten-year building programme costing $60 million had produced a force of 14,500 sailors and over a thousand officers. The fleet included two [[First World War]]-era (but modernized) American-built {{Sclass|Rivadavia|battleship}}s, three modern cruisers, a dozen British-built destroyers, and three submarines, plus minelayers, minesweepers, coastal defence ships, and gunboats. A [[Naval aviation|naval air force]] was also in operation.<ref>Associated Press. "Plan Big Navy for Argentina". ''Youngstown Vindicator'' March 10, 1940. (Retrieved via Google News 10/25/10).</ref>

In the postwar period, [[Argentine Naval Aviation|Naval Aviation]] and [[Argentine Marines|Marine]] units were put under direct Navy command. With Brazil, Argentina is one of two South American countries to have operated two [[aircraft carrier]]s: the {{ship|ARA|Independencia|V-1|6}} and {{ship|ARA|Veinticinco de Mayo|V-2|6}}.

The Argentine Navy has been traditionally heavily involved in [[Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing|fishery protection]], helping the [[Prefectura Naval Argentina|Coast Guard]]: most notably in 1966 a destroyer fired on and holed a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] trawler that had refused to be escorted to [[Mar del Plata]], in the 1970s there were four more incidents with Soviet and Bulgarian ships<ref>Conway's All the World Fighting Ships 1947–1995</ref> followed by other incidents such as the [[sinking of the Chian-der 3]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=8194|title=Persecución y captura de un pesquero|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605225239/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=8194|archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=572152|title=Incendian y hunden un pesquero para evitar su captura|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605225402/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=572152|archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=384762|title=Para evitar su captura, el capitán de un pesquero hundió el barco|website=lanacion.com.ar|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605225426/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=384762|archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref>

The Navy also took part in all [[military coup]]s in Argentina through the 20th century. During the [[Proceso de Reorganizacion Nacional|1976 to 1983 dictatorship]], Navy personnel were involved in the [[Dirty War]] in which thousands of people were kidnapped, tortured and killed by the forces of the military junta, similar to practices which are now known as [[enforced disappearance]]. The Navy School of Mechanics, known as [[Navy Petty-Officers School|ESMA]], was a notorious centre for torture. Among their more well-known victims were the Swedish teenager [[Dagmar Hagelin]], and French nuns [[Alice Domon]] and [[Léonie Duquet]] (In October 2007 the Argentine Navy formally handed possession of the school to human rights groups to turn it into a memorial museum).{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

During this regime, the Navy was also the main supporter of a military solution for the country's two longest-standing disputes: the [[Beagle Conflict]] with Chile and the Falkland Islands ({{langx|es|Islas Malvinas}}) with the United Kingdom.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

===Falklands War, 1982=== {{Main|Falklands War}} {{See also|Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War|1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands|Invasion of South Georgia|Battle of Seal Cove}}

During the 1982 [[Falklands War]] the main Argentine naval fleet consisted of modernised [[World War II]] era ships (one [[Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program|GUPPY]]-type submarine, one British-built {{Sclass|Colossus|aircraft carrier|0}} carrier, a cruiser, and four destroyers), and newer vessels including two Type 42 destroyers, three French-built corvettes, and one German-built [[Type 209 submarine]]. This fleet was supported by several [[Empresa Líneas Marítimas Argentinas|ELMA]] tankers and transports, as well as an ice breaker and a polar transport ship.

[[File:Super Etendard ARA 204.jpg|thumb|[[Super Étendard]], the [[Exocet]] platform.]]

New German [[MEKO]] type destroyers, corvettes, and [[Nordseewerke|Thyssen-Nordseewerke]] ([[TR-1700 class submarine|Type TR-1700]]) submarines were still under construction at the time.

After leading the invasion of the Falkland Islands, the Argentine fleet played only a small part in the later conflict. After nuclear submarine {{HMS|Conqueror|S48|6}} sank cruiser {{ship|ARA|General Belgrano||6}}, the Argentine surface fleet did not venture from a 12-mile (22.2 km) coastal limit imposed by the British.

The Argentine Navy's contribution to the war was principally the initial amphibious assaults on 2 and 3 April on [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Port Stanley]] and [[Grytviken]]; [[Argentine Naval Aviation|naval aviation]] [[Super Étendard]]s armed with [[Exocet]] missiles, which sank the destroyer HMS {{HMS|Sheffield|D80|2}} and the container ship {{ship||Atlantic Conveyor||2}}; [[A-4 Skyhawk|Skyhawk]]s, which dealt the fatal blow to the frigate {{HMS|Ardent|F184}}, previously disabled by [[Argentine Air Force]] aircraft; and the Marines, with the [[Batallón de Infantería de Marina 5|5th Marine Corps Battalion]] defending [[Mount Tumbledown]]. In addition, the Type 42 destroyer {{ship|ARA|Santísima Trinidad||6}}, operating off [[Isla de los Estados]], played an important part in the destruction of the British troopshipSir Galahad on 8 June.<ref>"Vice-Admiral Lombardo ... states that the Type 42 destroyer Santisima Trinidad was off the Argentine coast that day carrying out radio interference operations on the frequencies used by the British air controllers." The Fight for the Malvinas, pp. 211-212, Martin Middlebrook, Penguin, 1990</ref> An [[Aermacchi MB-339]] armed trainer, based at Port Stanley, was the first Argentine aircraft to spot the [[Battle of San Carlos (1982)|British landings at San Carlos]] Bay on 21 May; the pilot, Lieutenant Owen Crippa, identified [[HMS Argonaut (F56)|HMS ''Argonaut'']] as a target of opportunity and fired cannon bursts and rockets, causing damage to the frigate. Crippa was awarded the [[Cross for Heroic Valour in Combat]].<ref name=":0" /> A land-based Exocet battery outside Port Stanley scored a direct hit on the destroyer {{HMS|Glamorgan|D19|6}} on 11 June, inflicting major damage and killing 14 of her crew.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Inskip |first=Ian |title=Ordeal by Exocet: HMS Glamorgan and the Falklands War. |publisher=Chatham |year=2002 |isbn=186176197X |pages=160–85 |language=en}}</ref> A Marine Tigercat SAM put a Royal Air Force Harrier (XW 919) out of action on 12 June.<ref>"La difesa argentina replicò con prontezza, danneggiando un Harrier con un obsoleto missile Tigercat, che esplose dietro il suo bersaglio." Rivista aeronautica, p. 110, Tomo 18, Ministero dell'aeronautica, 2005</ref> Naval aviation also carried out intensive [[maritime patrol]]s, searching to locate the British fleet for the strike aircraft and British submarines for the anti-submarine Sea King helicopters, while their [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] and [[Fokker F-28 Fellowship]] transports reinforced the Port Stanley garrison and evacuated the wounded.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=http://www.radarmalvinas.com.ar/informes/av%20naval%20ct.pdf |title=Historia de la Aviación Naval Argentina |publisher=Departamento de Estudios Históricos de la Armada Argentina |year=1992 |volume=III |language=es}}</ref>

The submarine {{ship|ARA|San Luis|S-32|6}} also played a strategic role, engaging the frigate {{HMS|Arrow|F173|6}} on 10 May, According to British sources, the torpedo presumably hit a decoy.<ref>''"A few minutes later, when the frigates were close to the submarine, a 'small metallic explosion' was heard. Neither of the British ships reported any incident during this period but Paul Bootherstone recalls that when the Arrow's towed torpedo decoy was retrieved later it was found to be badly damaged".'' The Royal Navy and Falklands War, pp. 156-157, David Brown, Pen and Sword, 1987</ref> The submarine {{ship|ARA|Santa Fe|S-21|6}} landed a group of naval commandos who secured the beachhead at Yorke Bay for the landing of the main Argentine force on 2 April. After a successful resupply mission, she was attacked by helicopters and disabled off [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|South Georgia]], where her crew then surrendered along with the Argentine detachment at Grytviken. ''Santa Fe'' was later scuttled by the British.

Operating in the waters around the islands, patrol boats from the [[Argentine Naval Prefecture]], naval transports, freighters from the Argentine merchant navy and smaller coasters, more of them confiscated to the [[Falklands Islands Company|Falklands Island Company]], struggled to keep the supply lines between the different Argentine garrisons open. Most of these vessels were eventually sunk or disabled by British naval and aerial forces. On 1 May, the armed coaster ARA ''Forrest'' and the patrol boat ''[[HMS Tiger Bay|Islas Malvinas]]'' were engaged by a Sea Lynx helicopter from [[HMS Alacrity (F174)|HMS ''Alacrity'']] while on a reconnaissance mission north of Port Stanley; ''Islas Malvinas'' was damaged and limped away, but ''Forrest'' returned fire and damaged the British helicopter. The same ''Alacrity'' sank transport [[ARA Isla de los Estados|ARA ''Isla de los Estados'']] on the night of 10 May in the [[Falkland Sound|Falklands Sound]], while the freighter ''Rio Carcarañá'' was disabled by [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier]] aircraft on 15 May at Port King, in the western shores of [[Lafonia]], and eventually sank. ARA ''Bahía Buen Suceso'' was lost when she grounded off Fox Bay after another air attack. In the early hours of 23 May a Royal Navy attempt to capture the coaster [[ARA Monsunen|ARA ''Monsunen'']] west of [[Lively Island]] was thwarted when the crew beached the vessel at Seal Cove after repelling the attack of a Sea Lynx helicopter and the frigates [[HMS Brilliant (F90)|HMS ''Brilliant'']] and [[HMS Yarmouth (F101)|HMS ''Yarmouth'']]. ''Monsunen'' was towed to [[Goose Green]] by [[ARA Forrest|ARA ''Forrest'']], which unloaded her cargo and completed ''Monsunen''{{'}}s resupply mission. The small ketch [[ARA Penelope|ARA ''Penelope'']] was one of the last coastal ships to reach Port Stanley with fuel oil drums from Fox Bay on 2 June.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secc. histórica - Acción de los buques del Apostadero Naval Malvinas |url=http://www.apostaderomalvinas.com.ar/hist004.htm |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=www.apostaderomalvinas.com.ar}}</ref>

===Aftermath of the Falklands War=== [[File:ARA Almirante Brown D 10 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|{{ship|ARA|Almirante Brown|D-10|6}} Meko 360 class destroyer.]] The core of the fleet was reformed with the retirement of all the World War II-era {{Sclass|Fletcher|destroyer|5}} and {{Sclass|Gearing|destroyer}}s and their replacement with the [[MEKO 360]] and [[MEKO 140|140]] classes designed by the German shipyard [[Blohm + Voss]].

Also, the [[Argentine Submarine Force|submarine force]] greatly reinforced its assets with the introduction of the [[Nordseewerke|Thyssen-Nordseewerke]] ([[TR-1700 class submarine|TR-1700]]) class. Although the original programme called for six units with the last four to be built in Argentina, only the two built in Germany were delivered.

The amphibious force was drastically affected with the retirement of their only [[Tank landing ship|LST landing ship]] {{ship|ARA|Cabo San Antonio|Q-42|6}} and replacement by a modified cargo vessel, the {{ship|ARA|Bahía San Blas|B-4|6}}. This situation was expected to improve in 2006 with the delivery by France of the first of the [[Amphibious transport dock|LPD]] {{Sclass|Ouragan|landing platform dock}}s but the whole operation was placed on hold by the Argentine Government due to [[asbestos]] concerns. In 2010 France offered the {{ship|French ship|Foudre|L9011|3}} instead.<ref>[http://www.segurancaedefesa.com/Foudre2ARA.html França oferece "Foudre" à Argentina] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716035228/http://www.segurancaedefesa.com/Foudre2ARA.html |date=2011-07-16 }}</ref>

[[File:US Navy 040813-N-0507C-001 The guided missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) and an Argentinean P-3 aircraft patrol the northern approach to the Panama Canal.jpg|thumb|A US [[guided missile frigate]] and an Argentine [[maritime patrol aircraft]] during joint operations in [[Panama]].]]

France also transferred the {{ship|French ship|Durance|A629|3}}, now {{ship|ARA|Patagonia|B-1}}, multi-product replenishment ship ([[Replenishment Oiler|AOR]]).

In 1988 the A-4 Skyhawk aircraft were withdrawn, leaving the Super Étendard as the only fighter jets in the navy inventory. The already-paid-for A-4Hs bought in Israel as their replacement could not be delivered due to the embargo imposed by the United States after the war. Instead [[Israel Aircraft Industries|IAI]] used the money to refurbish the [[S-2 Tracker|S-2E Trackers]] to the S-2T Turbo Tracker variant currently in service.

In the 1990s, the embargo was lifted and the [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]]s (civilian aircraft converted for [[maritime patrol]]) were finally retired and replaced with similar [[P-3 Orion|P-3B Orions]] and civilian [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft King Air Model 200]] were locally converted to the MP variant.

In 2000 the aircraft carrier {{ship|ARA|Veinticinco de Mayo|V-2|6}} was decommissioned without replacement, although the navy maintains{{When|date=October 2022}} the air group of Super Étendard jets and S-2 Trackers that routinely operated from the [[Brazilian Navy]] aircraft carrier {{ship|NAeL|São Paulo||2}}<ref>{{Citation |title=ARAEX VI - 2001 | date=29 June 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc9yNM4_Kgk |language=en}}</ref> or [[United States Navy]] carriers when they are in transit in the south Atlantic during [[Gringo-Gaucho]] manoeuvers.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

===Gulf War and nineties=== Argentina was the only Latin American country to participate in the 1991 [[Gulf War]], sending a destroyer and a corvette in a first deployment and a supply ship and another corvette later to participate in the United Nations blockade and sea control effort in the Persian Gulf. ''Operación Alfil'' ("{{langx|en|Operation [Chess] Bishop}}"), as it was known, carried out more than 700 interceptions and sailed 25,000 miles in the operations theatre.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

From 1990 to 1992, the {{Sclass|Baradero|patrol boat}}s were deployed under UN mandate [[ONUCA]] to the [[Gulf of Fonseca]] in Central America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armada.mil.ar/pag.asp?idItem=287|title= ARMADA ARGENTINA |author=Armada Argentina|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228062822/http://www.armada.mil.ar/pag.asp?idItem=287|archive-date=28 December 2014}}</ref> In 1994, the three {{Sclass|Drummond|corvette}}s participated in [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] in Haiti.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.tau.ac.il/eial/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=504&Itemid=216|title=Estudios Interdisciplinarios de América Latina y el Caribe – Las crisis de Guatemala (1954) y Haití (1991-1994)|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119144134/https://www1.tau.ac.il/eial/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=504&Itemid=216|archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref>

=== 21st century === In 2003, for the first time, the Argentine Navy (classified as [[major non-NATO ally]]) interoperated with a [[United States Navy]] battle group when the destroyer {{ship|ARA|Sarandí|D-13}} joined the {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}} Carrier Strike Group and Destroyer Squadron 18 as a part of Exercise ''Solid Step'' during their tour in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

In 2010 the construction of four 1,800 ton [[Proyecto Patrulleros de Zona Marítima OPV|offshore patrol ships]] was announced,<ref>[http://www.mindef.gov.ar/info.asp?Id=1373 mindef: ''El comienzo en agosto próximo en los Astilleros Tandanor (en Buenos Aires) de la construcción primera de las cuatro Patrulleras Oceánicas Multipropósito, cuya ingeniería básica fue adquirida a la industria chilena.''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307170103/http://www.mindef.gov.ar/info.asp?Id=1373 |date=2010-03-07 }}</ref> but never started. Instead, Argentina ultimately opted to acquire four [[Gowind-class design#Argentina|Gowind-class offshore patrol vessels]] from France. The decision was motivated by the meeting between Argentine President [[Mauricio Macri]] and French President [[Emmanuel Macron]] at the annual [[World Economic Forum]] summit in [[Davos]], Switzerland in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Higuera|first1=Jose|title=Argentina restarts talks with Naval Group for Gowind OPVs|url=http://www.janes.com/article/77575|website=IHS Jane's 360|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180205224559/http://www.janes.com/article/77575/argentina-restarts-talks-with-naval-group-for-gowind-opvs|archive-date=5 February 2018|location=Santiago|date=2 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2018, Argentina confirmed the purchase of the patrol vessels. The purchase included the already-built {{ship|French patrol vessel|L'Adroit||2}}, which in 2016 visited the region on a marketing trip, as well as three new-build vessels.<ref>{{cite web|title=Argentina confirms the purchase of four French OPVs|url=https://www.janes.com/article/84948/argentina-confirms-the-purchase-of-four-french-opvs|website=IHS Jane's 360|access-date=3 December 2018|date=30 November 2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203152345/https://www.janes.com/article/84948/argentina-confirms-the-purchase-of-four-french-opvs}}</ref> Following their construction in France, all four ships had been delivered to Argentina by 2022.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

In October 2012 the Navy's [[tall ship|sail]] [[training ship]] {{ship|ARA|Libertad|Q-2|6}} was seized under court order in Ghana by creditors of Argentina's debt default in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20332793|title=Argentina takes ship dispute with Ghana to UN court|work=BBC News|date=14 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127175821/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20332793|archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref> On 15 December 2012 the UN [[International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea]] ruled unanimously that the ship had immunity as a military vessel, and ordered that "Ghana should forthwith and unconditionally release the frigate ARA ''Libertad''"<ref name=release>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20743016|title=Ghana told to free Argentine ship ''Libertad'' by UN court|work=BBC News|date=15 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703235456/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20743016|archive-date=3 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/case_no.20/C20_Order_15_12_2012.pdf|title=Order: The "ARA ''Libertad''" Case|publisher=International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Hamburg|date=15 December 2012|access-date=15 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101105740/http://www.itlos.org/fileadmin/itlos/documents/cases/case_no.20/C20_Order_15_12_2012.pdf|archive-date=1 January 2013}}</ref> Four days later ''Libertad'' was released from [[Tema]] and arrived to the port of Mar del Plata on 9 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/a6dfae3a-5abb-11e2-b60e-00144feab49a.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/a6dfae3a-5abb-11e2-b60e-00144feab49a.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=Argentine naval frigate returns home|author=Daniel Schweimler|publisher=[[Financial Times]]|date=10 January 2013}}</ref>

The Argentine Navy is under-funded and struggling to meet maintenance and training requirements; as a result, only 15 of its 42 vessels are in a condition to sail.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}{{When|date=July 2018}} The 2013 defence budget allowed for the 15 operational vessels to each spend less than 11 days at sea, while the submarines averaged just over 6 hours submerged in the whole of 2012.<ref name=MP20121122>{{cite web | url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/11/22/argentine-navy-short-on-spares-and-resources-for-training-and-maintenance | title=Argentine navy short on spares and resources for training and maintenance | date=22 November 2012 | publisher=MercoPress | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228222507/http://en.mercopress.com/2012/11/22/argentine-navy-short-on-spares-and-resources-for-training-and-maintenance | archive-date=28 December 2012 }}</ref> {{ship|ARA|Espora|P-41|6}} spent 73 days in late 2012 stranded in South Africa for lack of [[Spare part|spares]]. The {{Sclass|Almirante Brown|destroyer}}s are short of spares and their ordnance has expired, while the Antarctic patrol ship {{ship|ARA|Almirante Irizar|Q-5|6}} had been under repair for 10 years because of a fire.<ref name=MP20121122 /> On 23 January 2013 the Type 42 destroyer {{ship|ARA|Santísima Trinidad|1974|6}} sank at her moorings after having been mothballed for ten years.<ref name=wp-20130123>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/argentine-destroyer-that-led-war-against-britain-sinks-a-symbol-of-decay-for-once-proud-navy/2013/01/23/00533246-6590-11e2-889b-f23c246aa446_story.html |title=Argentine destroyer that led war against Britain sinks, a symbol of decay for once-proud navy |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=25 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126062505/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/argentine-destroyer-that-led-war-against-britain-sinks-a-symbol-of-decay-for-once-proud-navy/2013/01/23/00533246-6590-11e2-889b-f23c246aa446_story.html |archive-date=26 January 2013 }}</ref>

The Argentine Navy participates in joint exercises with other friendly navies including Brazil, United States, Spain, France, Canada, South Africa,<ref>[http://www.gacetamarinera.com.ar/nota.asp?idNota=2432&idSec=7 Atlasur VIII] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312065320/http://www.gacetamarinera.com.ar/nota.asp?idNota=2432&idSec=7 |date=2016-03-12 }}</ref> Italy, Uruguay, and, since the 1990s, Chile. The exercises are routinely held to develop a common operational doctrine. Every year the Argentine and [[Chilean Navy|Chilean Navies]] participate in the ''Patrulla Antártica Naval Combinada'' ({{langx|en|Joint Antarctic Naval Patrol}}) to guarantee safety to all tourist and scientific ships in transit within the [[Antarctic Peninsula]], where the Navy is also directly responsible for maintaining the [[Argentine Antarctica|Argentine bases]] there.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

==== ''San Juan'' Disaster and Submarine Fleet Renewal Problem ====

On 15 November 2017, submarine [[ARA San Juan (S-42)|ARA ''San Juan'' (S-42)]] stopped communicating during a routine transit to port following a military exercise. A search was launched by [[ISMERLO]], however after 15 days of searching the Argentine Navy declared the end of the rescue operation, and solely focused on the recovery of the submarine—not the crew. 44 personnel were on the submarine when it disappeared.<ref name="lanacion.com.ar">{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2084309-ara-san-juan-operativo-rescate|title=Submarino ARA San Juan: la Armada dio por finalizado el operativo de rescate y ya no busca sobrevivientes|newspaper=La Nación|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20171201070201/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2084309-ara-san-juan-operativo-rescate|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> The final report made by Argentine congressmen stated that president Mauricio Macri and his defence minister had political responsibilities for the loss of ARA ''San Juan''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elagora.digital/macri-y-aguad-son-responsables-del-hundimiento-del-ara-san-juan/14725/|title=Informe Final del Congreso: Macri y Aguad son responsables del hundimiento del ARA San Juan|last=Redacción|date=2019-07-18|website=elAgora.digital|language=es-AR|access-date=2019-07-28}}</ref> Lack of funding for maintenance and personnel training had been identified as a chronic problem for the submarine service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2012/11/22/argentine-navy-short-on-spares-and-resources-for-training-and-maintenance |title=Argentine navy short on spares and resources for training and maintenance |date=22 November 2012 |work=MercoPress |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228222507/http://en.mercopress.com/2012/11/22/argentine-navy-short-on-spares-and-resources-for-training-and-maintenance |archive-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> After the ''San Juan'' disaster, the submarine service no longer maintained any active vessels.

In 2019, the governments of Brazil and Argentina were working on a transfer deal of the four Tupi IKL209/1400 submarines currently operated by the Brazilian Navy. Two of the Brazilian submarines are currently non operational pending repairs, the other two are still active pending their replacement by the 4 Scorpene type submarines currently under construction. However, in the early 2000s they had been upgraded with new combat systems by Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors. This gave the submarines the ability to carry and fire the MK 48 MOD 6AT ADCAP Torpedo. Although there are some reservations about the deal, the defense ministers and admirals of the Argentine Navy were enthusiastic about moving forward with it. The submarines were to be repaired and serviced in the Tandanor drydock facility. If the deal moves forward it would allow Argentina to restore its submarine capability which is currently defunct.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://en.mercopress.com/2019/06/10/brazil-will-supply-argentina-with-german-built-submarines-in-need-of-repair | title=Brazil will supply Argentina with German built submarines in need of repair | date=10 June 2019 | publisher=MercoPress | language=en | access-date=28 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://baexpats.org/threads/brazil-to-give-4-submarines-to-argentina.41317/|title = Brazil to give 4 submarines to Argentina | date=8 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ssk-tupi/|title=SSK Tupi Class - Naval Technology}}</ref> As an alternative, in 2021 a Russian delegation visited the TANDANOR shipyard and other defence facilities, reportedly also making an offer to supply either the [[Kilo-class submarine|Improved Kilo-class submarine]] or the export variant of the [[Lada-class submarine]] to the Argentine Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2021/03/12/la-armada-argentina-recibe-propuesta-tecnica-por-submarinos-amur1650/|title = La Armada Argentina recibe propuesta técnica por los submarinos AMUR 1650|date = 12 March 2021}}</ref>

In July 2022, in the context of Argentina's desire to replace its submarine fleet, defence minister [[Jorge Taiana]] paid a visit to the Naval Group shipyard in Cherbourg to examine the construction process for the [[Scorpène-class submarine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/le-ministre-argentin-de-la-defense-a-cherbourg-pour-parler-scorpene | title=Le ministre argentin de la Défense à Cherbourg pour parler Scorpène | Mer et Marine | date=11 July 2022 }}</ref> Minister Taiana also visited Germany for a meeting with his ministerial counterpart, in order to explore the possibility of acquiring German-built submarines, either independently or in tandem with an interim acquisition of the Brazilian Navy's ''Tupi''-class boats. However, it still remained unclear whether Argentina had either the financial resources or the political will to pursue any submarine replacement.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2022/08/26/la-opcion-alemana-con-que-recuperar-la-fuerza-de-submarinos-de-la-armada-argentina/ | title=La opción alemana con que recuperar la fuerza de submarinos de la Armada Argentina | date=26 August 2022 }}</ref>

==== Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement ====

In 2019, Argentina was also pursuing the procurement of four P-3C Orion aircraft from US Navy surplus stocks since Argentina's fleet of P-3B's were no longer operational since 2019. The package deal was approved in September 2019. The US State Department has cleared the transaction of $78.03m to be carried out as part of a foreign military sale. It includes the delivery of related equipment and services. Argentina will receive four turboprop engines for the aircraft and an additional four turboprop engines. It will also receive communications and radar equipment, Infrared/Electro-optic equipment, and aviation life support systems. The US will provide spares plus repairs, aircraft depot maintenance, and logistical support. Contractors for the deal include Logistic Services International, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins and Eagle Systems. These newer Orions will be up to the latest Orion standard, and provide Argentina with a much needed boost in anti-submarine and maritime surveillance missions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/argentinas-p-3c-orion-aircraft-support-package-sale-approved-by-us/|title=Argentina's P-3C Orion aircraft support package sale approved by US|date=20 December 2019}}</ref>

However, in the aftermath of the inauguration of Alberto Fernández as president in December 2019, the deal appeared to be in limbo with the Navy now apparently considering completing the refurbishment of its older P-3B fleet pending the outcome of further discussions around the P-3C acquisition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2020/08/14/una-luz-de-esperanza-para-los-p-3b-orion/|title=¿Una luz de esperanza para los P-3B Orión?|date=14 August 2020}}</ref> As of early 2021, it was planned that, after upgrades, the P-3B would be returned to service starting in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2021/02/12/el-estado-de-la-aviacion-naval-argentina/|title=El estado de la Aviación Naval Argentina|date=12 February 2021}}</ref> In December 2022, it was reported that the refurbishment of the P-3B was proceeding slower than anticipated and while a revised delivery date of the first upgraded P-3B had been projected for September 2023, that schedule might now face delays.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2022/12/13/novedades-sobre-los-p-3-orion-de-la-armada-argentina/ | title=Novedades sobre los P-3 Orion para la Armada Argentina | date=13 December 2022 }}</ref> In February 2023 it was reported that Argentina was negotiating with Norway to purchase three or four of its surplus P-3Cs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pucara.org/post/la-armada-argentina-negocia-la-compra-de-p-3-orion-y-m%C3%A1s-helic%C3%B3pteros | title=La Armada Argentina negocia la compra de P-3 Orion y más helicópteros |website=Pucará Defensa | date=27 February 2023 }}</ref> The agreement to purchase four aircraft was signed in October 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/firmaron-un-convenio-para-la-adquisicion-de-aeronaves-p-3-orion-para-la-armada-argentina | title=Firmaron un convenio para la adquisición de aeronaves P-3 Orion para la Armada Argentina |website=Government of Argentina | date=17 October 2023 }}</ref> It had been hoped that the aircraft would be delivered in late 2023. However, by years end the aircraft had not been delivered due to an Argentine failure to make the required payment.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2023/12/28/vehiculos-y-aeronaves-incorporadas-por-las-fuerzas-armadas-argentinas-en-el-2023/ | title=Estos fueron los vehículos y aeronaves incorporadas por las Fuerzas Armadas Argentinas durante el año 2023 |website=Zona Militar |last=Roldán |first=Juan José | date= 28 December 2023 }}</ref> In March 2024, it was reported that initial payments had been made. Delivery of the first aircraft took place in September 2024, with the remaining aircraft to follow in 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2024/09/10/argentina-received-the-first-modernized-p-3c-orion-patrol-aircraft/ | title=Argentina Received The First Modernized P-3C Orion Patrol Aircraft |website=Overtdefense.com |last=Cetiner |first=Yusuf | date= 10 September 2024 }}</ref>

==== Future of the Fleet ==== In 2020, the Argentine national government created an interministerial committee with the objective of reassuring national oceans' sovereignty. In 2020, the Ministry of Defence informed Congress of a desire to acquire a [[Landing Platform Dock]] (LPD) as well as two naval transport vessels to increase logistical capacity, including in relation to the country's claims and presence in the Antarctic.<ref name="infodefensa.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2020/08/10/noticia-ministerio-defensa-argentino-delinea-reequipamiento-armada-argentina.html|title=El Ministerio de Defensa delinea el reequipamiento de la Armada Argentina - Noticias Infodefensa América|date=10 August 2020}}</ref> In March 2023, an agreement was signed by Defence Minister Jorge Taiana for the Tandanor and Río Santiago shipyards to develop a multipurpose landing ship for the Argentine Navy. A polar ship and floating dock were also planned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2023/03/11/argentine-province-of-buenos-aires-defense-ministry-sign-cooperation-deal |title=Argentine Province of Buenos Aires, Defense Ministry sign cooperation deal |date=11 March 2023 |website=Mercopress }}</ref> As of early 2024, the prospective projects remained under evaluation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2024/02/15/las-idas-y-vueltas-en-la-recuperacion-de-la-capacidad-anfibia-de-la-armada-argentina/ |title=Mientras la región fortalece sus capacidades de transporte anfibio, la Armada Argentina aún analiza opciones para la incorporación de LPD o LST |website=Zona Militar |date=15 February 2024 |last=Videla Solá |first=Mariano Germán }}</ref>

Foreign overfishing is a serious concern and, in 2020, the Argentine Navy captured at least two foreign ships allegedly illegally fishing in the South Atlantic. Foreign, mostly Chinese, illegal fishing in Argentine territorial waters has been estimated to cost Argentina between US$1 billion and $2.6 billion per year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://marsemfim.com.br/pesca-ilegal-chinesa-prossegue-no-mar-argentino/ |title=Pesca ilegal chinesa prossegue no mar argentino |work=Estadão |date=10 January 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 }}</ref> In 2016, the [[Argentine Coast Guard]] chased and sank a Chinese fishing boat that was reported to have been fishing illegally in Argentine waters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35815444 |title=Argentina sinks Chinese fishing boat Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010|work=BBC |date=16 March 2016 |access-date=28 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elagora.digital/mesa-interministerial-pesca-ilegal/|title = El gobierno conformó una mesa interministerial para frenar la pesca extranjera ilegal|date = 7 May 2020}}</ref> Partially to address this, a project for the re-focus of two [[Espora-class corvette]]s on patrol duties was reportedly under development.<ref name="infodefensa.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2020/08/27/la-armada-argentina-extendera-la-vida-util-de-las-meko-140/|title=La Armada Argentina extenderá la vida útil de las MEKO 140|date=27 August 2020}}</ref> One of the corvettes subsequently selected for conversion to the offshore patrol role was [[ARA Parker (P-44)|ARA ''Parker'']].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2022/09/22/invap-y-citedef-junto-a-la-armada-argentina-participaran-del-proyecto-de-modernizacion-de-la-corbeta-ara-parker/ |title=INVAP y CITEDEF junto a la Armada Argentina participarán del proyecto de modernización de la corbeta ARA Parker |work=Zona Militar |date=22 September 2022 |access-date=27 February 2023 }}</ref> Subsequently in June 2024, the chief of the Argentine Navy, Admiral Carlos María Allievi, suggested that the idea of converting any additional Espora-class vessels to the offshore patrol role had been abandoned.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pucara.org/post/pucar%C3%A1-defensa-con-el-contraalmirante-allievi-hacia-d%C3%B3nde-va-la-armada-argentina |title=Pucará Defensa con el contraalmirante Allievi: Hacia dónde va la Armada Argentina |work=Pucará Defensa |date=15 June 2024 |last=Rivas |first=Sangtiago |access-date=19 June 2024 }}</ref>

It remained to be determined how the several envisaged new-acquisition projects would be funded. For instance, the proposed submarine acquisition from Brazil would require extensive refurbishment of the vessels prior to being ready for renewed operational service with the Argentine Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-naval-defense/naval-defense-2019/four-non-operational-tupi-class-subs-to-be-transfered-from-brazil-to-argentina|title = Four non-operational Tupi-class subs to be {{sic|trans|fered|nolink=y}} from Brazil to Argentina | date=14 June 2019 }}</ref> As of the end of 2022, the mooted submarine deal with Brazil had not yet been finalised and the process of refurbishment not yet begun. In 2021, one analyst noted that over the past thirty years the Argentine navy has lost many core capabilities, including its aircraft carrier (along with most of its fixed-wing combat aviation), submarines and area air defence vessels. Most of these seemed unlikely to be reconstituted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2021/02/26/capacidades-perdidas-en-la-armada-argentina/|title=Capacidades perdidas: La Armada que no pudo ser|date=26 February 2021}}</ref>

== Structure == {{See also|List of active Argentine Navy ships}} The Argentine navy has four main commands: High Seas Fleet, Submarine Force, Naval Aviation, and Naval Infantry (Marines). Additionally, on January 1, 2022, a Joint Maritime Command was established under the Joint Chiefs of Staff to defend Argentina's maritime sovereignty.<ref name="Delgado">{{Cite web|url=https://dialogo-americas.com/articles/argentine-navy-strengthens-fleet-to-combat-illegal-fishing/ |title=Argentine Navy Strengthens Fleet to Combat Illegal Fishing |date=30 June 2022 |last=Delgado |first=Juan |website=dialogo-americas.com}}</ref>

=== Sea Fleet === [[File:D11ARALaArgentina.jpg|thumb|right|[[ARA La Argentina (D-11)]].]] {{Main|Sea Fleet Command (Argentina)}}

[[Puerto Belgrano Naval Base]] ({{langx|es|Base Naval Puerto Belgrano}}, abbreviated ''BNPB'') is the largest naval base of the Argentine Navy, situated next to Punta Alta, near [[Bahía Blanca]], about 700 km (435 mi) south of Buenos Aires. Most of the fleet is based there.

=== Submarine Force === [[File:S31ARASalta.jpg|thumb|right|[[ARA Salta (S-31)]].]] {{main|Submarine Force Command}}

The Submarine Force Command ({{langx|es|Comando de la Fuerza de Submarinos}}, abbreviated ''COFS'') was created when the Navy first started using [[submarine]]s in 1927. The [[Tactical Divers Group]] is under the submarine force command structure.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} However, as of 2020 there were no operational submarines in service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nuestromar.org/defensa-y-seguridad/estiman-que-la-llegada-del-proximo-submarino-operativo-para-argentina-demoraria-de-cinco-a-seis-anos/|title = Estiman que la llegada del próximo submarino operativo para Argentina demoraría de cinco a seis años|date = 8 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2020/12/23/noticia-rossi-argentina-argentina-tiene-tener-fuerza-aerea-aviones-supersonicos.html|title=A. Rossi (Argentina): "Argentina tiene que tener una Fuerza Aérea con aviones supersónicos" (2) - Noticias Infodefensa América|date=23 December 2020}}</ref>

=== Naval Aviation === [[File:SUEreabasteciendo1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Super Étendard]] performing aerial refueling.]] {{Main|Argentine Naval Aviation}}

The Naval Aviation Command ({{langx|es|Comando de Aviación Naval}}, abbreviated ''COAN'') is the [[naval aviation]] branch. Argentina is one of two South American countries to have operated two aircraft carriers. However, neither remain in service. During the Falkland's War, Argentine naval aviation employed the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard fighter and its Exocet air-to-surface missiles being responsible for the destruction of both [[HMS Sheffield (D80)|HMS Sheffield]] as well as the merchant vessel [[Atlantic Conveyor]]. Efforts to upgrade and retain the Super Etendard in service were initially reported to have been abandoned in 2023 due to a combination of U.K. sanctions impacting the ability to obtain spare parts for the Martin Baker Mk. 6 ejection seats and due France's inability to provide other spare parts for the aging aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pucara.org/post/el-ministerio-de-defensa-de-argentina-decide-frenar-la-recuperaci%C3%B3n-de-los-super-etendard | title=El Ministerio de Defensa de Argentina decide frenar la recuperación de los Super Etendard |website=Pucará Defensa | date=18 May 2023 }}</ref> Five refurbished aircraft had been delivered from France in 2019. However, these aircraft have not been brought into service due to the spare parts problem.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2020/06/10/noticia-super-etendard-argentinos-estarian-operativos.html|title = Los Super Étendard argentinos estarían operativos en dos años - Noticias Infodefensa América|date = 10 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2022/01/04/argentine-navy-warplanes-still-grounded-due-to-lack-of-british-made-spare-parts|title = Argentine Navy warplanes still grounded due to lack of British-made spare parts}}</ref> Subsequent to the report that that aircraft would not be brought into service, the Argentine Navy issued a statement that the process had not in fact been abandoned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/05/24/la-armada-argentina-sumara-cuatro-aeronaves-para-incrementar-el-control-del-mar-nacional-los-detalles-tecnicos-y-cuanto-costaran/|title=La Armada Argentina sumará cuatro aeronaves para incrementar el control del mar nacional: los detalles técnicos y cuánto costarán |website=Infobae |date=24 May 2023 |last=Morales |first=Fernando}}</ref> In early 2024, it was reported that the Navy was still working to restore at least two of the aircraft to flying condition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2024/04/08/la-armada-argentina-prepara-la-vuelta-al-servicio-de-los-super-etendard-ante-la-llegada-del-portaviones-uss-george-washington/ |title=La Armada Argentina prepara la vuelta al servicio de los Super Etendard ante la llegada del portaviones USS George Washington |website=Zona Militar |date=8 April 2024 }}</ref> However, as of mid-2025 an inability to obtain spare parts meant that the project to restore the aircraft to flying condition reportedly had been abandoned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.minutofueguino.com.ar/malvinas/la-armada-argentina-retirar-de-servicio-a-los-histricos-aviones-sper-tendard-usados-en-malvinas.htm |title=La Armada Argentina retirar de servicio a los histricos aviones Super Etendard usados en Malvinas |website=minutofueguino.com |date=13 July 2025 }}</ref>

=== Naval Infantry === [[File:LVTP7-IMARA-17may07.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Argentine [[LVTP-7]]]] The [[Naval Infantry Command]] ({{lang|es|Comando de Infantería de Marina}}) is the Argentine Navy's marine branch. Naval infantry have the same rank, insignia, and titles as the rest of the Navy, and are deployed abroad on [[UN peacekeeping missions]].<ref>{{cite news|title = Operaciones para el mantenimiento de la paz|url = https://www.argentina.gob.ar/proyeccion-al-mundo/operaciones-para-el-mantenimiento-de-la-paz|language = es|agency = Argentina.gob.ar|date = 2018-07-14|access-date = 2019-07-27|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Nuevo contingente de Cascos Azules parte hacia Chipre|url = http://gacetamarinera.com.ar/nuevo-contingente-de-cascos-azules-parte-hacia-chipre/|language = es|agency = Gaceta Marinera|date = 2019-02-22|access-date = 2019-07-27|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Hydrographic Service === The [[Argentine Naval Hydrographic Service]] ({{langx|es|Servicio de Hidrografía Naval}}, abbreviated ''SHN'') provides national [[Hydrography|hydrographics]] services.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

=== Joint Maritime Command === The Joint Maritime Command (CCM, in Spanish) was established on January 1, 2022 and brings together [[Argentine Army]], Navy and [[Argentine Air Force|Air Force]] assets to combat maritime crime and to control ocean and river areas under its jurisdiction. Its principal maritime assets are the navy's patrol vessels, including its [[Gowind#Argentina|Gowind-class]] offshore patrol vessels.<ref name="Delgado"/>

==Ranks== {{more citations needed section|date=September 2021}} {{See also|Military ranks of Argentina}}

===Officers=== Rank insignia consists of a variable number of gold-braid stripes worn on the sleeve cuffs or on shoulder-boards. Officers may be distinguished by the characteristic loop of the top stripe (in the manner of British Royal Navy officers). Combat uniforms may include metal pin-on or embroidered collar rank insignia. Rank insignia is worn on the chest when in shipboard or flying coveralls.

Officers are commissioned in either the Command (line) Corps (those who attend the Escuela Naval Militar- Military Naval College) or the Staff Corps (Professional Officers who only attend a short course in the Naval Academy after getting a civilian degree, except for the Paymasters who instead attend the Naval College).

The Line Corps is divided into three branches: the Naval branch (including Surface Warfare, Submarine Warfare and Naval Aviation sub-branches), the Marine Corps branch, and Executive -Engineering- branch. Line Corps' reserve officers are considered Restricted Line (''Escalafon Complementario'') officers in any of the Warfare Communities (Surface, Submarine, Marines, Aviation and Propulsion), and can only raise to OF-4 rank (''Capitan de Fragata'').

All Line Corps officers wear distinctive branch/sub-branch insignia on the right breast. Some Staff Corps officers also wear specialisation badges (Aviation, Surface, Submarine and Marines). Other common insignia is the Naval War College insignia, parachute wings, etc., also worn on the right breast. Medals and Ribbons, if awarded, are worn on the left breast, just above the chest pocket. The rank insignia of Staff Corps' officers is placed over a background colour denoting the wearer's field, such as purple (Chaplains), blue (Engineers), red (Health Corps), white (Paymasters), green (Judge Advocate Officers), brown (Technical Officers, promoted from the ranks) and grey (special branch). The background colour for Command Corps officers is navy blue/black.

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Argentina}} |}

===Enlisted ratings and Non-Commissioned Officers=== Other ranks' insignia (not including Seamen) is worn on either shoulderboards or breast or sleeve patches. Seamen and Seamen Recruits wear their insignia on their sleeves. The shoulderboards denote the wearer's specialty.

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Argentina}} |}

== Uniform ==

===Beards=== Following a global trend, Argentine armed forces have prohibited [[beard]]s since the 1920s. This was reinforced in the [[Cold War]] era when they were deemed synonymous with leftist leanings. The only exception were [[Antarctic]] service within the three armed forces as a protection from cold weather, and [[submarine]] service within the [[Navy]] as a way of saving water. However, shaving was mandatory upon return to headquarters.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

In 2000 the Navy broke with this tradition within the Argentine armed forces as Adm. Joaquín Stella, then Navy [[Chief of staff (military)|Chief of Staff]] allowed beards for officers with ranks above ''Teniente de Corbeta'' ([[Second Lieutenant]]), according to Section 1.10.1.1 of the Navy Uniform regulations (R.A-1-001). Adm. Stella gave the example himself by becoming the first bearded Argentine admiral since Adm. Sáenz Valiente in the 1920s. Non commissioned officers can wear beards from ''Suboficial Segundo'' rank, and upwards. However, beards were prohibited again in 2016, except for some specific office positions.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

== Equipment == {{Main|List of active Argentine Navy ships|List of active Argentine Navy aircraft|List of weapons of the Argentine Navy}}

==Notes== {{reflist|group=NB}}

== References == === Citations === {{Reflist}}

=== Sources === *{{cite journal |last1=Ehlers |first1=Hartmut |title=The Paraguayan Navy: Past and Present, Part II |journal=Warship International|date=2004|volume=XLI|issue=2|pages=173–206 |issn=0043-0374}} * {{cite book | editor1-last =Keltie | editor1-first = J.S. | title =The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1900 | year =1900 | publisher =Macmillan | location =New York }}

== Further reading == * ''Guia de los buques de la Armada Argentina 2005–2006''. Ignacio Amendolara Bourdette, {{ISBN|987-43-9400-5}}, Editor n/a. (Spanish/English text)

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}} {{in lang|es}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100325090856/http://www.bravozulu.com.ar/programas.php Videos] BravoZulu Official news programme * [https://web.archive.org/web/20180624035935/http://www.fuerzasnavales.com/ Fuerzas Navales website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20051104024716/http://www.saorbats.com.ar/ORBAT%20-%20Argentina%20-%20ARA.htm Organization and equipment] on Saorbats.com

[[Category:Argentine Navy| ]] [[Category:Navies by country|Argentina]]