Argentina purchases second-hand P3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Norway.

On October 17, 2023, Argentina's Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of four P-3 Orion aircraft from the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA). Aimed at fortifying its maritime capabilities, the aircraft will primarily be used for surveillance and search and rescue operations in the South Atlantic, covering Argentina's territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
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Argentina's Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of four P-3 Orion aircraft from the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA). (Picture source: Argentina MoD)

The deal was formalized in a ceremony attended by key officials, including Argentina's Minister of Defense, Jorge Taiana, and the Chief of the Argentine Navy, Admiral Julio Guardia. Funding for the acquisition comes from Argentina's National Defense Fund (FONDEF). Argentine Naval Aviation pilots are already in the United States undergoing flight simulator training, with U.S. approval for the aircraft transfer in place.

Of the four aircraft, three P-3C Orions are configured for maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface missions, while one P-3N is specialized for search and rescue operations.

It's worth noting that Argentina received six P-3B Orions from the U.S. Navy between 1997 and 1999 for its Naval Aviation. Two of these served as parts reserves. Plans were initially made to replace them with four second-hand P-3C Orions from the U.S. Navy by the end of 2019, but those negotiations fell through.

The acquisition comes as Argentina aims to assert its sovereignty and enhance the protection of its natural resources. The country acknowledges the challenges posed by surveillance and strategic control over potentially resource-rich territories, and thus assigns a critical role to its military in monitoring these areas.

Initiated in March 2022, the negotiation process included top officials from both Argentina and Norway, such as Hector Mazzei, the Chief of Staff of Argentina’s Ministry of Defense, and Magnus Hansvold, the Director of NDMA.

The new P-3 Orions are set to enhance the capabilities of the Argentine Navy's surveillance squadron, based at Almirante Zar Air Naval Base near Trelew, along the Patagonian coast of southern Argentina. Since 1997, this unit has been operating P-3Bs acquired from the United States.

The P-3C Orion is highly versatile, and capable of anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue operations, and maritime surveillance. Developed for the U.S. Navy in the 1960s by Lockheed, the aircraft is based on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. It boasts impressive technical specifications, including a wingspan of approximately 30 meters, a top speed of about 411 knots, and a range exceeding 2,380 nautical miles. The aircraft can accommodate a crew of 11 to 12.

A significant aspect of the P-3C Orion's capabilities lies in its advanced underwater submarine detection technologies. It employs sonobuoys, magnetic anomaly detectors (MAD), and torpedoes, making it a formidable asset in naval defense. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced radar and sensors for effective maritime surveillance, which aids in search and rescue efforts, counter-piracy missions, and monitoring against unauthorized activities.

Beyond military uses, the aircraft also serves environmental monitoring purposes. It can detect oil spills and pollution, contributing to environmental conservation efforts. Equipped with advanced communication systems and intelligence-gathering capabilities, the P-3C Orion meets the demands of modern defense operations.

The P-3N is a modernized version of Norway's P-3B, featuring a cockpit equivalent to the P-3C and 30 passenger seats. Its anti-submarine bay is significantly reduced, and the aircraft is mainly designed for pilot training, support to coast guard operations, and passenger transport.