Argentine Navy confirms aircraft and helicopter replacements under the Dédalo Plan

+ ADD ZONA MILITAR TO YOUR GOOGLE FEED

Why add us? Get the latest from Zona Militar in your Google feed.

JOIN THE WHATSAPP CHANNEL

Join our official WhatsApp channel to receive news as it happens.

Following the announcements made today at Punta Indio Naval Air Base as part of the launch of the Dédalo Plan, the Argentine Navy has confirmed the retirement and replacement of several aircraft and helicopters that have served for decades. Although the most prominent announcement was the withdrawal of the Super Étendard fighter-bombers, the service also confirmed a renewal programme and the introduction of new assets.

👉 Read more: The Air Force secures its strategic ISR capability through a new support contract for its MQ-9A Predator B

Argentine Navy helicopter replacement plans

Given the limited availability of the AS-555 Fennec light helicopters, which operated from MEKO 360 destroyers in an over-the-horizon target-designation role, the Argentine Navy has confirmed that they will be withdrawn and replaced in 2027.

Although their retirement is scheduled for 2027, on a date yet to be confirmed, it has also been officially reported that the Leonardo AW109M helicopters intended to replace them will enter service that same year. More specifically, the first two light helicopters are expected to arrive in October, with the remaining two due at the beginning of 2029.

📌 You may also be interested in:

• The Government reallocates more than US$ 140 million in resources to the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces
• With Airfox drones and 8 countries involved, the Spanish Navy deploys BAM Meteoro in the Gulf of Guinea

New Beechcraft and P-3C/N Orion aircraft

Another type entering its final years of service will be the Beechcraft B-200 aircraft. These will be replaced by the new Beechcraft B-360ER MPA, with two units to be acquired for patrol duties and delivered in 2027. The service will also pursue the purchase of a further two aircraft for logistics support missions.

As for the P-3C/N Orion fleet, the Naval Aviation Command already has two delivered aircraft. The next example is expected to arrive next October, while the final one is due in June next year.

Sea King retirement and VTOL V-BAT drones

Returning to rotary-wing aviation, the Argentine Navy also announced the withdrawal of its SH-3 Sea King helicopters from 2031, without providing further details on progress towards acquiring additional remanufactured units, such as those purchased from Carson Helicopters in previous years, or on whether it will procure a medium helicopter. This is far from a minor matter, as the Sea Kings currently provide one of the principal means of supplying Argentina’s Antarctic bases during the Summer Antarctic Campaign, operating from aboard the icebreaker ARA Almirante Irízar.

The Navy will also proceed with the incorporation of four new VTOL V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles, to be received during 2028-2029. They will operate from the flight decks of Fleet of the Sea vessels without requiring significant modifications or adaptations for embarked use.

Lastly, the Argentine Navy stated: “This re-equipment will require an update to the training plans and standards, as well as the operational employment methods of the Naval Air Squadrons. This will include the publications governing the training and employment of the component, such as the Flight Operations Regulations, naval air operations procedures and reconnaissance operations procedures. The first publications for the management and employment of unmanned aerial vehicles will also be drafted”.

Photographs used for illustrative purposes.