In the context of recent news about the bureaucratic obstacles preventing the return to service of the Argentine Navy’s Super Étendard Modernize (SEM) aircraft, it is essential to examine the criticisms and challenges faced by Naval Aviation in its attempt to reactivate these aircraft. Despite efforts to put some of the SEMs acquired from France into operation, the reality raises serious doubts about the viability and strategic value of this initiative.
One of the most critical points is that the SEM aircraft, brought from France where they were no longer operational and had been decommissioned, present not only certification problems but also a very limited remaining flight time, approximately 60 hours. These limitations, according to various official sources who spoke to Zona Militar, call into question the justification for the necessary investment and the complex certification processes required to return these planes to service. Various areas of the Ministry of Defense argue that the remaining flight hours do not justify the effort and costs involved, especially when no significant contribution to the current National Defense system is foreseen.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Naval Aviation has been criticized for attempting to fly aircraft with significant limitations and without a clear plan on how they would contribute to the weapons system in terms of deployable armament and other operational capabilities. The Ministry of Defense expects to receive a plan that not only considers flying the Super Étendards but also integrates their operation within the overall National Defense plans, providing tangible strategic value.
In this context, some experts consider that a more sensible option would be to modernize the avionics of the SUE with systems from aircraft that Argentina has incorporated and which have a much longer flight horizon. However, so far, this proposal has not been formally presented, increasing doubts about the future of the Super Étendard system in Argentina. Without a solid and justified plan, the possibility of these aircraft returning to operation remains uncertain.
In addition to the technical and strategic problems, in recent weeks there has been significant misinformation about the possible transfer of these aircraft to Ukraine. This information, spread either maliciously or unintentionally, has caused confusion and concern. However, it has been confirmed that the Super Étendards will remain in Argentine colors. Nevertheless, without a real and coherent plan, it is possible that the system will not fly again, leaving the question of its usefulness up in the air.
Based on these considerations, it can be mentioned that without a detailed plan envisioning a clear operational horizon, ministerial support for the Super Étendard system to fly again will not exist, despite initial positive comments about reactivating this capability.
You may also like: A modernization proposal for the Argentine Army Aviation is threatened by a temporary solution
