Argentine air force: the need for a radical update. The Argentine Air Force remains without fighters The crisis of the Argentine Air Force: how it all began

In the light of recent events taking place in Ukraine and the Middle East, Great Britain is quietly escalating the situation in the South Atlantic, seeking to keep the Malvinas Islands under its colonial rule. At the same time, Argentina must return this archipelago. But leading role in a possible conflict, as in 1982, aviation will play.

Argentine air force crisis: how it all began

After left-wing President Nestor Kirchner came to power in May 2003, Western countries stepped up pressure on Argentina; the rapprochement of the new Front for Victory government with Venezuela and Brazil did not go unnoticed in the United States and Great Britain. The rapid aging of the air fleet sharply raised the question of its urgent modernization, but the consequences of the 1982 war and the financial and economic collapse of 2001 are still being felt - there is simply no money to purchase the latest aircraft.

Looking in retrospect at the causes conflict situation in the South Atlantic, it becomes clear that back in 1522, the Malvinas Islands were discovered by a member of the Spanish round-the-world expedition of Fernando Magellan, Esteban Gomez. This name was given to the islands in the 18th century by colonists from the French port of Saint-Malo.

In 1816, the Malvinas Islands became part of independent Argentina. However, already in 1833, English settlers claimed that the archipelago supposedly belonged to the British crown. Despite the protests of the Argentine public, Great Britain in 1892 declared the Malvinas its colony.

Back in April-June 1982, Argentina tried to regain the islands by declaring war on Great Britain, but the Air Force of the South American country suffered heavy losses. But the trouble did not come alone - under the pressure of sanctions from official London, the restoration of the fleet was extremely slow, and after the events of December 2001, the position of the Argentine Air Force became completely critical.

In order to ensure the security of the country, the government of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner should intensify military-technical cooperation with Russia and China, Brazil and Venezuela; start modernizing air bases along the entire length of Patagonia, as well as near Buenos Aires to repel attacks by aircraft carrier formations of the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance; however, these tasks remain unresolved.

The Argentine Air Force, according to approximate data, has 13 Mirage III fighters, seven Mirage 5Р, 13 Israeli-made Dagger fighters (a copy of the French Mirage 5), 24 attack aircraft of its own design FMA IA-58A Pukara, six American-made A-4AR attack aircraft, five to six C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, one KC-130H tanker, six Dutch-made Fokker F28s. The fleet of lightly armed training and combat vehicles, most of which are obsolete types, is most fully represented. These are 31 US-made T-34A training aircraft, 22 Brazilian-made EMB-312 Tukanos, 11 FMA IA-63 Pampa combat training aircraft, and seven Su-29 trainers. Helicopter units are represented by 11 Hughes 500 (MD 500) rotorcraft, eight UH-1H Iroquois, five Textron 212, two Aerospasial SA.315B, two Mi-171, one Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk and S -76B Mk II. The Argentine Naval Aviation is armed with nine Brazilian-made EMB-326 Chavante combat training aircraft, five to eight Super Etandar carrier-based attack aircraft, six P-3B Orion patrol aircraft, five S-2T anti-submarine aircraft, and about 14 helicopters.

Analyzing the state of combat aviation in Argentina, it should be noted that today the country is much weaker than itself than in 1982: on March 10, 2013, a report on the combat readiness of its fleet was circulated in Argentina. According to the information provided in the document, only 16% of the strength of the Argentine Air Force can be considered combat-ready. For comparison, this figure is 50% for the Air Forces of Brazil and Chile (Argentina itself reached it in 2001-2003), and 75% for the US Air Force and France. In 2007-2010, the level of combat readiness of the Argentine Air Force dropped to 30%. It was noted that the established indicators of the serviceability of combat aviation continue to fall.

It is quite obvious that in the event of a new conflict, British aviation formations will seize air supremacy in a matter of days. And at present, the country of "Foggy Albion", in essence, is preparing for war according to the principle: "Weakness is a pretext for violence."

Argentina looking for partners

Pressure from the West is forcing the Argentine authorities to save money on the elementary maintenance of at least part of the fleet in flight condition, while the official Buenos Aires often fulfills the requirements of potential aircraft suppliers on conditions that are obviously unfavorable for themselves. Thus, according to media reports, the Argentine Ministry of Defense plans to spend up to $280 million on the purchase of used Israeli Kfir C.10 fighter jets.

For this amount, it is planned to purchase 14 fighters. Probably, the contract will be signed with the Israeli state company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Argentine Defense Minister Agustin Rossi said that a decision on the purchase of aircraft will be made in the near future.

It is noted that before making a decision, representatives of the Argentine military department will make an inquiry about the cost of used aircraft from several other suppliers. The purchase of combat vehicles is planned to be carried out before December 2015. By this time, the Argentine Ministry of Defense plans to completely write off the Mirage III fighters, which are currently in service with the country.

The terms of the deal with Israel suggest that the Kfir C.10 aircraft will be upgraded before delivery to the customer. What exactly will be the modernization of fighters is not reported.

The Kfir C.10 (Kfir-2000) is a multirole fighter, which is an upgraded version of the Kfir C.7 aircraft, developed by IAI for export. It had a cockpit with improved panoramic visibility, aerial refueling equipment, and new avionics in a longer nose cone. The cockpit has an indicator on the windshield, two multifunctional color displays, it is possible to use a pilot's helmet with in-helmet displays. The Kfir C.10 can carry the RAFAEL Derby anti-radar missile and the latest RAFAEL Python air-to-air missiles with a thermal homing head (while the Israeli machine is inferior in combat capabilities even to the Soviet MiG-23).

Earlier, the Argentine Air Force planned to purchase used Spanish Mirage F1M fighters. But in early 2014, the country's military department abandoned these plans.

In addition, in October of this year, the Argentine government decided to start consultations with the Swedish company Saab, with the aim of acquiring 24 JAS-39 Gripen-NG fighters. The conditions for the purchase of new fighters, as well as the share of participation of Argentine enterprises in the production of these aircraft, will be the subject of negotiations in the coming months between representatives of the two countries.

However, with all this, it is not clear why the Argentine authorities do not think about the fact that namely Su-30MK, Su-25SM, Il-78 and others Russian aircraft will significantly strengthen the fleet of Argentina, and in the conditions of the actions of "financial vultures", signing contracts with the West and Israel is the same as signing a death warrant for yourself.

Aviation and geopolitics: tensions rise

As already mentioned, the conduct of an independent foreign policy by the government of Cristina Fernandez arouses anger in the West. Despite the peace initiatives of Argentina, the UK continues to increase military group off the Malvinas Islands.

Back in February 2010, the first British drilling platform appeared on the Malvinas shelf - huge reserves of oil and gas were discovered, which in terms of volume may well compete with oil pantries North Sea. British experts define them as 60 billion barrels, clearly underestimating the figure so as not to "tease the Argentines." It is clear that in a good way the British do not want to leave. In response, the official Buenos Aires said that the British policy threatens the security of Argentina and banned "suspicious ships" with pipes and equipment used in oil exploration from going to sea.

However, it would be wrong to think that the escalation of the situation is due to oil alone. Even if there were no oil in the Malvinas, the archipelago is still strategically important.

First. The islands occupy a strategically important position on the approaches to the Strait of Magellan and the Drake Passage, that is, they give control over the sea routes connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Second. The islands are of great military importance as a NATO base near South America and the supply base of their ships in the region.

Third. Claims to various sectors of Antarctica are associated with the right to own the Malvins. These claims are frozen by the 1959 agreement, but no one has abandoned them.

It must also be borne in mind that Argentina has a significant length of maritime borders. It is clear that the fleet, deprived of air support, will be destroyed; he can only get cover from attack and naval aviation. However, in the event of the acquisition of Russian aircraft from the Argentine Air Force, it will be possible to operate at more distant lines of interception, thereby destroying aircraft carrier strike groups and landing units NATO countries off the Malvinas archipelago.

Another significant point: the UK is one of the most sworn enemies of Russia, while our country has a great chance to change the balance of power in its favor. In addition, it must be remembered that Argentina, albeit behind the scenes, but supported our country in the Crimean issue. In March of this year, Christina de Kirchner sharply criticized the United States and Great Britain for the policy of “double standards” in relation to Crimea and the Malvinas Islands: “If Crimea holds a referendum, then this is wrong, but if the Falklanders do it, then everything is fine. Such a position does not withstand any criticism,” the President of Argentina said.

So, Argentina must resist Western pressure; without a deep modernization of its own combat aviation, the country is doomed to defeat - this is clear to everyone. In its turn, Russia needs to carry out an offensive foreign policy to occupy the promising arms market. And in this case, the principle should apply: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

In the light of recent events taking place in Ukraine and the Middle East, Great Britain is quietly escalating the situation in the South Atlantic, seeking to keep the Malvinas Islands under its colonial rule. At the same time, Argentina must return this archipelago. But the main role in a possible conflict, as in 1982, will be played by aviation.

Argentine air force crisis: how it all began

If we take a retrospective look at the causes of the conflict situation in the South Atlantic, it becomes clear that back in 1522, the Malvinas Islands were discovered by a member of the Spanish round-the-world expedition of Fernando Magellan, Esteban Gomez. This name was given to the islands in the 18th century by colonists from the French port of Saint-Malo.
In 1816, the Malvinas Islands became part of independent Argentina. However, already in 1833, English settlers claimed that the archipelago supposedly belonged to the British crown. Despite the protests of the Argentine public, Great Britain in 1892 declared the Malvinas its colony.

Argentina looking for partners

The terms of the deal with Israel suggest that the Kfir C.10 aircraft will be upgraded before delivery to the customer. What exactly will be the modernization of fighters is not reported.

Earlier, the Argentine Air Force planned to purchase used Spanish Mirage F1M fighters. But in early 2014, the country's military department abandoned these plans.

However, with all this, it is not clear why the Argentine authorities do not think about that it is the Su-30MK, Su-25SM, Il-78 and other Russian aircraft that will significantly strengthen the Argentine air fleet , and in the conditions of the actions of "financial vultures" signing contracts with the West and Israel is the same as signing a death warrant for yourself.

Aviation and geopolitics: tensions rise

Back in February 2010, the first English drilling platform appeared on the Malvinas shelf - huge reserves of oil and gas were discovered, which in terms of volume may well compete with the oil pantries of the North Sea. British experts define them as 60 billion barrels, clearly underestimating the figure so as not to "tease the Argentines." It is clear that in a good way the British do not want to leave. In response, the official Buenos Aires said that the British policy threatens the security of Argentina and banned "suspicious ships" with pipes and equipment used in oil exploration from going to sea.

However, it would be wrong to think that the escalation of the situation is due to oil alone. Even if there were no oil in the Malvinas, the archipelago is still strategically important.

Second. The islands are of great military importance as a NATO base near South America and a supply base for its ships in this region.

Third. Claims to various sectors of Antarctica are associated with the right to own the Malvinas. These claims are frozen by the 1959 agreement, but no one has abandoned them.
It must also be borne in mind that Argentina has a significant length of maritime borders. It is clear that the fleet, deprived of air support, will be destroyed; he can only get cover from attack and naval aviation. However, in the event of the acquisition of Russian aircraft from the Argentine Air Force, it will be possible to operate at more distant lines of interception, thereby destroying aircraft carrier strike groups and landing units of NATO countries near the Malvinas archipelago.

Another significant point: the UK is one of the most sworn enemies of Russia , while our country has a great chance to change the balance of power in its favor. In addition, it must be remembered that Argentina, albeit behind the scenes, but supported our country in the Crimean issue. In March of this year, Christina de Kirchner sharply criticized the United States and Great Britain for their "double standards" policy towards Crimea and the Malvinas Islands: “If the referendum is held by Crimea, then this is wrong, but if the Falklanders do it, then everything is fine. Such a position does not withstand any criticism,” the President of Argentina said.

So, Argentina must resist Western pressure; without a deep modernization of its own combat aviation, the country is doomed to defeat - this is clear to everyone. In its turn, Russia needs to pursue an offensive foreign policy to occupy the promising arms market. And in this case, the principle should apply: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Konstantin Fedorov

In the light of recent events taking place in Ukraine and the Middle East, Great Britain is quietly escalating the situation in the South Atlantic, seeking to keep the Malvinas Islands under its colonial rule. At the same time, Argentina must return this archipelago. But the main role in a possible conflict, as in 1982, will be played by aviation.

Argentine air force crisis: how it all began

Argentina looking for partners

The terms of the deal with Israel suggest that the Kfir C.10 aircraft will be upgraded before delivery to the customer. What exactly will be the modernization of fighters is not reported.

Earlier, the Argentine Air Force planned to purchase used Spanish Mirage F1M fighters. But in early 2014, the country's military department abandoned these plans.

However, with all this, it is not clear why the Argentine authorities do not think about the fact that it is the Su-30MK, Su-25SM, Il-78 and other Russian aircraft that will significantly strengthen the Argentine air fleet, and in the conditions of the actions of "financial vultures" signing contracts with the West and Israel It's like signing your own death warrant.

Aviation and geopolitics: tensions rise

However, it would be wrong to think that the escalation of the situation is due to oil alone. Even if there were no oil in the Malvinas, the archipelago is still strategically important.

Second. The islands are of great military importance as a NATO base near South America and a supply base for its ships in this region.

Third. Claims to various sectors of Antarctica are associated with the right to own the Malvins. These claims are frozen by the 1959 agreement, but no one has abandoned them.

Another significant point: Great Britain is one of the most sworn enemies of Russia, while our country has a great chance to change the balance of power in its favor. In addition, it must be remembered that Argentina, albeit behind the scenes, but supported our country in the Crimean issue. In March of this year, Christina de Kirchner sharply criticized the United States and Great Britain for their "double standards" policy towards Crimea and the Malvinas Islands: “If the referendum is held by Crimea, then this is wrong, but if the Falklanders do it, then everything is fine. This position does not stand up to scrutiny."- said the President of Argentina.

So, Argentina must resist Western pressure; without a deep modernization of its own combat aviation, the country is doomed to defeat - this is clear to everyone. In turn, Russia needs to pursue an offensive foreign policy in order to occupy the promising arms market. And in this case, the principle should apply: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Air Force of Argentina

Air Force of Argentina are one of the three branches of the Argentine Armed Forces, and have equal status with the army and navy. The President of Argentina appoints the commander of the air force, as well as other military branches. The Chief of the Air Force General Staff usually holds the rank of brigadier general, the highest rank in the air force.

Story

Pulqui II aircraft of the Argentine Air Force. 1951

The history of the Argentine Air Force begins with the creation on August 10, 1912 of the Escuela de Aviación Militar (Military Aviation School) (schools military aviation). Among the first officers of the Argentine air force was Jorge Newbery, who had retired from the Argentine Navy.

Immediately after the end of World War II, military air force began the modernization process, new aircraft appeared, such as the Gloster Meteor jet fighter. Thus, they became the first of the air forces in Latin America equipped with jet aircraft. In addition, Avro Lincoln and Avro_Lancaster bombers were acquired, which made it possible to create a powerful strategic air force in the region. Air Force, in cooperation with German specialists, began to develop their own aircraft, such as the Pulqui I and Pulqui II, making Argentina the first country in Latin America and the sixth in the world to independently develop a jet fighter.

In 1952, the Air Force began flying to the Antarctic Science Base.

Aircraft IAI Dagger (Israeli version of the Mirage-V) of the Argentine Air Force. October 1981

During the 1970s, the Air Force was equipped with the most modern aircraft of the period, including:

Mirage III interceptors,
IAI Dagger (Israeli version of Mirage-V),
attack aircraft A-4 Skyhawk,
C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

In addition, the Pucará aircraft was used in significant numbers in the fight against the insurgents.

The Falklands (Malvinas) War (Guerra de las Malvinas / Guerra del Atlántico Sur), caused great damage to the air force, which lost 60 aircraft. Due to the deteriorating economic situation, and lack of confidence in the army, the air force was denied the resources needed to replace military losses. This, combined with budget cuts, led to a reduction in the activity of the Argentine Air Force.

In the 1990s, the British blockade was officially lifted and after failing to obtain IAI Kfirs or F-16As, 36 A-4M Skyhawks (known as A-4AR Fightinghawks) were purchased from the United States. These aircraft were to replace the Bravos and Charlies, which had already fought during the Falklands War.

Currently

The Argentine Air Force participates in United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world. They flew a Boeing 707 in 1991 during the Gulf War.

Since 1994 they have been participating in the UN Air Force (UNFLIGHT) in Cyprus. The Argentine Air Force has also deployed Bell 212s to Haiti since 2005, as mandated by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

In early 2005, seventeen top air force officers, including the chief of staff, Brigadier General Carlos Rohde, were fired by President Néstor Kirchner in connection with a drug trafficking scandal international Airport Ezeiza.

The main tasks of the air force at present are the creation of a radar network to control the airspace of the country, the replacement of old combat aircraft (Mirage III, Mirage V), as well as the introduction of new technologies. The possibility of buying the French "Mirage 2000C" is being considered.

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Books

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