As addressed in previous publications, besides the purchase of the multi-role fighters F-16 Fighting Falcon, other projects that are still on the list of systems to be incorporated include submarines for the Argentine Navy. For several years now, the naval force has hinted at the options being analyzed that meet the requirements and needs of the Submarine Force. It is known that, to date, and in the context of recovering submarine capability, some of the options have been the Tupi class of the Brazilian Navy, the Ula from Norway, the Scorpene class from France, and the German submarines from ThyssenKrupp.
In this regard, based on Report No. 139 by the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers, there are two plans for incorporating these types of units. On the one hand, the acquisition of new submarines with options for local construction of three units is stipulated. Secondly, considering a short/medium-term period, the incorporation of one or more decommissioned second-hand units is contemplated. In this sense, the report explains that the Scorpene Class from the French company Naval Group and the Type 209 Class developed by the German firm ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) are being evaluated, as well as an alternative to acquire a transition submarine.
The option to acquire locally built units is based on the provision of three conventionally powered or diesel-electric attack submarines, with the idea of local construction or assembly. The Scorpene class has shown good results in various navies worldwide, but another possibility or proposal is the Type 209 Class from the German shipyard TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems), which, in past variants, the Argentine Navy has operated and which, to this day, continue to be built in updated versions tailored to potential clients’ requirements.
As a short-term study for incorporating a second-hand unit, the current management of the Ministry of Defense stated that it is studying options, including the possibility of Ula class submarines from the Royal Norwegian Navy, which are currently the only type of submarine in service that this force possesses. It is worth noting that this issue was already considered and evaluated in 2019 by the previous management of the defense portfolio, where the option for Tupi / Type 209 class submarines from the Brazilian Navy was leading as future units of the Submarine Force.
As we have previously reported, the units currently operating in the naval force were built in Germany in the late eighties and early nineties. Considering the country’s requirements, the German firm exclusively designed six units focused on coastal operations. Their combat systems were developed in Norway by Kongsberg, the attack sonar in Germany, and the flank sonar in France.
It should be emphasized that this class is among the quietest and most maneuverable submarines in the world. This, combined with the relatively small size, makes them difficult to detect from surface vessels, making them ideal for operations in coastal areas.
In this sense, its reduced size (59 meters in length, 1040 tons of displacement, and 1150 tons of submerged displacement) gives it less projection than the latest generations of Argentine submarines (U-209 and TR-1700), the latter designed especially with considerable autonomy (70 days) and submerged speed (25 knots on the surface).
On the other hand, aware of navigation in cold seas, the Norwegians modernized the internal cooling systems to adapt the submarines to external climatic conditions. This allowed the Ula to participate in NATO exercises, where they performed positively in infiltration and data collection tasks.
Among other modernizations, in December 2010, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace was contracted to supply navigation and radar systems for the submarines. In October 2011, Saab received a $15 million contract from the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organization to modernize steering control consoles.
In this line, some sources indicate that the Norwegian option is resonating more strongly within the internal spheres of the Argentine Navy. Not only for having proven to be a reliable system in shallow waters, but also for being relatively small and possessing stealth capabilities, making them harder to detect, and it would also fit the Navy’s budget. This alternative had already been analyzed in 2019 when the Argentine Navy, through Admiral Villán, expressed interest in the Norwegian submarines.
Following this, it would not be the first time that Norway and Argentina could reach an agreement to acquire systems. A recent precedent demonstrating the good relations between both countries is the purchase of three P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and one P-3N for the Argentine Navy, carried out after several years of searching.
However, this option would face the obstacle that the units would be incorporated in the long term, once the Royal Norwegian Navy receives the Type 212CDs built by TKMS, which are scheduled to replace the current Ula. The new stealth submarines began construction in 2023 with the intention of delivering the first unit to Norway in 2029. This long term also intertwines with the issue of Argentine submariners who continue training in techniques and procedures aboard the ARA “Salta”, which is out of service but is used for these activities. Additionally, some Submarine Force personnel are in other units of friendly navies, such as the Peruvian Navy, which has operational submarines.
Photographs used for illustration purposes.
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Creo que es la mejor oocion de momento para reiniciar pronto actividas submarina. Podria ser que venga uno rapido para ir entrenando y formando. No es tan costero pues tiene mejores caracteristicas q los tipo209 q tuvimos y q no eran costeros. Depende de q funcion le demos