With the recent decommissioning of the fast transport ARA Hércules (previously a Type 42 destroyer) and the ARA Heroína of the MEKO 360 class, the Argentine Navy is evaluating alternatives to replace them. This was announced by the Chief of the Argentine Navy General Staff, Rear Admiral Carlos María Allievi, in an interview with Zona Militar. The plan involves acquiring two multipurpose frigates to fill the gap left by these decommissioned vessels, which were removed from service last June.
Firstly, regarding the situation of the ARA Hércules and ARA Heroína, these were two vessels of the Fleet that had not sailed for years. Rear Admiral Allievi indicated this in the interview, stating: “…the Hércules no longer had turbines; it has not sailed for over 10 years, so it’s about keeping a unit afloat that can no longer be restored. The Heroína had a vital component, the slow wheel, removed in 2010 and sent to England for reconditioning, but for many years it faced a British veto, preventing us from incorporating it.”
Thus, the decommissioning of these vessels, like other units decommissioned such as the ARA Santísima Trinidad decades ago, necessitates the Argentine Navy to incorporate new ships into the Fleet to restore its numbers and capabilities. With the decommissioning of the Type 42 class, the force lost long-range defense and air cover capabilities it currently lacks.
Regarding this, the head of the Argentine Navy expressed: “As I said, the destroyers, particularly the Heroína, are 41 years old and require modernization for the short and medium term to allow the incorporation of at least two multipurpose frigates. This project is already done. As Fleet Commander, I signed the project, the DDP (Descriptive Project Document), which specifies how many units are requested, their characteristics, and cost. It’s a very specific process, but it is already done and part of the BAPIN, the public investment bank.”
Adding regarding the evaluated ships: “… They could be the Italian FREMM or the Spanish Alfa 3000. When the time comes and we are told ‘the state wants or this is the ship we need,’ that is the (project of) the frigates.”
Regardless of the specific model and its condition, whether new or second-hand, the incorporation of multipurpose frigates is the second priority for the current leadership at the Libertad Building regarding the recovery and reconstitution of capabilities. The first priority is acquiring submarines for the Submarine Force Command, while the third is the repowering/modernization of the MEKO 360 destroyers still in service.
Last year, in statements made by the then Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Carlos María Allievi, now the Chief of the Argentine Navy, he expressed: “…Planning and programming are underway for acquiring new frigates to replace the destroyers ARA ‘Hércules’ and ARA ‘Santísima Trinidad’…” Following these statements, Zona Militar preliminarily and prospectively evaluated some candidates to fill this role, considering newly built and second-hand frigates in service with other forces.
Among the newly constructed candidates were French ships built by Naval Group, such as the new Belharra class and the complex FREMM frigates, offered in two main variants for anti-submarine warfare and air defense missions.
Following the German line, as the Argentine Navy did years ago with its last major shipbuilding plan culminating in the acquisition of the MEKO 360 and 140 classes, the German shipyard thyssenkrupp Marine Systems currently offers the F-125 class frigates, MEKO A-200, and MEKO A-100 Light Frigate.
However, given the current economic and financial context of the country, acquiring newly built ships presents a very complex endeavor. The other feasible option could be acquiring second-hand units, which, after undergoing modernization and life extension processes, could fill the gap left by the recently decommissioned ships. This possibility must also consider diplomatic factors and relations with other countries decommissioning frigates with significant potential service years and their current availability.
*Photographs used for illustration purposes.
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