The Super Etendard aircraft that Argentina has bought from France are already on their way to Bahía Blanca

Although the investigations of the disaster of the submarine ARA "San Juan" are still far from being completed, Two positive news inspires the optimism of the Argentine Navy.

On the one hand, naval group construction of a series of construction works 3 Ocean Patrol Vessels (OPVs) to Participate in Surveillance and Control Operations of the Argentine sea. In anticipation of these deliveries, a similar but used patrol boat will be delivered by the French shipyard to the Ministry of Defense headed by Oscar Aguad.

On the other hand, they sail to the port of Ingeniero White (Bahía Blanca) the five Super Etendard aircraft that the Argentine State has bought from its French counterpart. Currently deprogrammed by the gala navy, will cover part of the urgent needs of naval aviation of Argentina.

The "SUE" has gained international prestige, among others for its effectiveness during the war for the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Despite the small number of missiles available for the naval naval aviation, caused significant damage to the Royal Navy, being the collapse of the frigate "Sheffield" the most relevant of them.

The purchase was made according to the "State to State" modality. the call for international public bids was not necessary. The operation was close to $ 15 million, that Argentina has already paid in full. To this figure will be added approximately $ 5 million for commissioning.

The SUE is a French designed aircraft that It started operating in the late 1970s. These aircraft served their country of origin until 2016. Its main features include its excellent flight performance at medium and low altitude; the ability to be refueled in mid-flight and the fact that it is appropriate not only for naval combat but also to defeat fixed targets on the mainland.

The most remarkable technical data are:

Argentina started using them in 1980 with the acquisition of 14 units, some of which arrived in the country after the 1982 conflict. the first case of specific use of these aircraft in combat missions.

Upon arrival at the provincial port, the ships will be transferred to the naval workshops of Comandante Espora, also located in Bahía Blanca. The repair will be in the hands of Argentine Navy personnel.

As detailed the Naval Aviation Institute, Argentina began to conceive the idea of ​​a naval aviation between 1890 and 1903. During these years, various officers of the Navy have tried to educate the public on the importance of adding to the novelty the implementation of different countries. In 1912 Lieutenant Melchor Escola became the first naval officer to serve as a military pilot. In 1916, it was created in Fuerte Barragan, which would be the first school Naval aviation of the navy.

After the First World War, Italy donated four Macchi seaplanes to Argentina. From there, the country began to acquire balloons, aircraft, reconnaissance and patrol aircraft, bombing and hunting next to the inevitable training aircraft and instruction.

Naval Aviation is currently one of the four arms of the Navy with the Marine Corps, the Navy fleet and the submarine force. In the case of the last element, the San Juan tragedy left Argentina without operational submarine units.

These days, it is badyzed whether progress will be made in the repair of the Santa Cruz submarine ARA and the completion of the construction of the Santa Fe ARA, or if on the contrary the purchase of units used abroad is confronted. At the recent edition of the International Defense Exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, the idea of ​​the acquisition of two submarines in Brazil began to circulate. However, there is still nothing concrete at least in the present.