BUENOS AIRES - During a ceremony marking the delivery of new Beechcraft T-6C+ training aircraft, Argentine Minister of Defense Oscar Aguad indicated some future plans for the Argentine military.
The main takeaway from the speech by Aguad is that Argentina intends to purchase Super Etendards for the Navy before the end of the year. Few other details regarding the purchase were mentioned. Howeever, in May, Argentina entered into a preliminary agreement with France to acquire five secondhand Super Etendards. Financial details regarding the purchase were not disclosed at the time, but some observers say the deal could cost about €14.2 million ($16.7 million) including the aircraft and transportation costs.
Argentina currently does not have an active fleet of supersonic fighter jets. The Navy does have about 11 Super Etendards. However, the aircraft are not flight worthy and are in storage awaiting upgrades and repairs.
Although Argentina's primary need of defending its airspace from drug traffickers does not require supersonic jets, there has been a large focus on acquiring that capability since the retirement of its Mirage III fighters in 2015. The supersonic fighters will are important for national pride as well as to defend airspace during international events and conferences, such as the upcoming G20 summit.
You have 0 item(s) in your cart