A few months away from the one-year anniversary of the purchase agreement between the Ministry of Defense and the Norwegian Defense Material Agency (NDMA), the Argentine Navy is in the final stages before receiving its first P-3C Orion patrol and surveillance aircraft. The acquisition includes a total of four aircraft (three Charly and one November), and has faced challenges since the signing in October 2023. However, in an interview with Zona Militar, Admiral Carlos María Allievi, Chief of the General Staff of the Argentine Army, confirmed that the Naval Aviation Command will soon receive the first aircraft.
The path to incorporating the new Orions has not been without difficulties related to the payment of the installments agreed upon in the original contract signed by then Minister of Defense Jorge Taiana and Magnus Hansvold, Head of Department D3 of the NDMA. Only in December of last year, with the assumption of new ministerial authorities led by Luis Petri, did the Argentine Navy confirm the payment of the first installment for the aircraft previously in service with the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
However, as noted by the current Minister, additional negotiations were required to ensure that the P-3s arrived with all necessary equipment to perform maritime patrol and surveillance tasks for which they were acquired. Specifically, clauses concerning the operational readiness of the Raytheon AN/APS-137B(V)5 radar were crucial. As stated earlier this year: “Due to this oversight, the Orions were initially to be integrated into Naval Aviation without the guarantee of having in-service (or extended) one of its essential tools for monitoring and controlling the Argentine EEZ.”
Highlighting the importance of these sensor systems, it was mentioned that: “The AN/APS-137(V)5 search radar is part of the sensor suite aboard Norwegian P-3 Orions. When they were decommissioned, Norwegian surveillance aircraft also featured the AN/AAS-36 Infrared Detecting Set (IRDS), AN/AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System, AN/ALR-66 Electronic Support Measures, AN/ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detector, AN/USQ-78 Acoustic Signal Processor and Display System, as well as the capability to deploy and operate sonobuoys.”
The integration of the new Orions was one of the topics covered in a recent interview with Admiral Carlos María Allievi, who indicated that the Naval Aviation Command of the Argentine Navy expects to receive the first aircraft soon, specifically a P-3C.
In his own words, the Chief of the Army stated: “… we have a contract for the P-3 Orions, which are currently undergoing maintenance in Tucson. They will finish maintenance in Florida, and we expect to receive the first P-3 around September.” He added: “The first three are the Charlies. The last one is the November.”
Furthermore, Admiral Allievi emphasized the significance of these new aircraft, which will restore long-range surveillance and exploration capabilities that had been effectively lost with the non-availability of the P-3Bs (with only one unit currently at FAdeA). Additionally, they will introduce new search and rescue capabilities at sea with the inclusion of the P-3N, an aircraft specialized in such missions which the COAN did not previously possess.
Regarding this importance, Admiral Allievi detailed to Zona Militar: “… with the P-3 aircraft, we will have four aircraft to ensure greater autonomy, not only for patrolling the 200-mile zone but also to significantly enhance our search and rescue capabilities at sea. It’s not about rescue, because that’s done by the ship; there’s no other way for maritime SAR.”
While specific details were not provided, it is presumed that the selected aircraft is finalizing preparations in the United States for its ferry flight to Argentina, where it will be integrated into the structure of the Naval Aviation Squadron based at Almirante Zar Naval Air Base (BAAZ), marking the definitive start of the reception schedule for the remaining three aircraft acquired from Norway.
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