According to recent reports, an Argentine Air Force Saab 340B aircraft began its flight towards the Petrel Joint Base in Antarctica. This marks the first operation with this weapons system and the first landing of an aircraft following the recovery of Petrel as a permanent Antarctic base.
This flight was announced during the reception ceremony of the Embraer ERJ-140 LR T-96 at the Aeroparque Military Station by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force, Brigadier Major Fernando Luis Mengo. On that occasion, the head of the Air Force stated, “The operation will be carried out with the aim of being able to land at the Petrel joint base before the end of the 2023/2024 Antarctic campaign. This milestone is very important because it will be the first time an aircraft lands there.”
It is worth noting that the landing of Saab 340 aircraft on unpaved runways, such as those available at Petrel or Marambio Base, is an unprecedented operation for this weapons system throughout its operational life in the IX Air Brigade. Prior to commencing this flight, the Argentine Air Force conducted operations with this system on unprepared runways, as was done during the Phoenix 2023 Exercise.
- *News in development.
- *Images used for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: Embraer presented its proposal for the sale of 6 new EMB 314 Super Tucano to the Paraguayan Air Force
