As part of the upcoming visit of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) from the United States Navy in May, the Argentine Navy is working on the recovery of at least two Super Etendard aircraft, with the aim of having both units operating for the arrival of the aircraft carrier.
In particular, these would be two Super Etendard Modernise aircraft acquired from France in 2019, which would be the first units to return to service. According to sources consulted by Zona Militar, the SEM with registrations 31 and 44 are the units that are undergoing testing more frequently, and initially, they would be the units to return to service once the issue related to the ejection seat cartridges is resolved.
It is worth noting that both SEMs undergo periodic inspections and maintenance work to ensure that the aircraft are kept in conditions for when they become operational again. Furthermore, in anticipation of the planned deployment for the aircraft carrier visit, preparations are being made for the Sea King helicopters, along with MEKO 360 Destroyers, MEKO 140 Corvettes, and Oceanic Patrol Vessels of the “Bouchard” class.
It is important to remember that during the combined exercises “Gringo Gaucho” (which took place during the passage of a US Navy aircraft carrier through South Atlantic waters in 1990 (two editions), 1991, 1993, 2001, 2004, 2008, and 2010), the Argentine Naval Aviation (COAN) actively participated, deploying Sea King, Alouette III, Fennec, S-2E/T Turbo Tracker, and Dassault Super Etendard systems on various occasions.
You may also like: The ARA Estrecho de San Carlos and Bahía Agradable patrol ships of the Argentine Navy completed their participation in the CAV 2023-2024 and the PANC
