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Argentine Navy Strengthens South Atlantic Patrols with Second P-3C Orion Acquisition.
According to information published by Zona Militar on January 29, 2025, he Argentine Navy, in coordination with the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces (EMCFFAA), is advancing the final stages of the incorporation of its second P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. This acquisition is part of a broader initiative aimed at restoring and expanding Argentina’s long-range aerial surveillance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and maritime interdiction capabilities.
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The Argentine Navy prepares for the arrival of its second P-3C Orion, reinforcing long-range maritime patrol, surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the South Atlantic. (Picture source: Norwegian MoD)
The aircraft, sourced from the Royal Norwegian Air Force, represents a critical enhancement for naval aviation, particularly in the context of monitoring the South Atlantic and enforcing control over Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Since the arrival of the first P-3C Orion in September 2023, tail number 6-P-57, the aircraft has demonstrated a high operational tempo, conducting maritime patrols, surface and subsurface surveillance, and joint exercises with the Argentine Navy’s Fleet Command. Notably, the aircraft took part in operations alongside a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine, underscoring its integration into complex maritime scenarios. Additionally, its extended endurance and range were demonstrated in a historic deployment to Antarctica, where it supported a TC-12B Huron transport aircraft’s flight to Joint Antarctic Base Petrel. This mission marked the return of fixed-wing naval aviation operations over the continent after more than five decades, reaffirming the aircraft’s strategic value for long-range missions.
The second P-3C Orion is currently undergoing final certification procedures before its transfer to Argentina. Brigadier General Xavier Isaac, Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that personnel from the Joint Military Airworthiness Directorate (DGAMC) are in the United States conducting inspections and certification of the aircraft.
Once certification is complete, the aircraft will be ferried to Florida, where it will undergo an extensive maintenance and systems upgrade program at a facility contracted by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The company responsible for this process, MHD-ROCKLAND, specializes in P-3 Orion sustainment and life extension programs. The maintenance package is expected to include structural inspections, reconditioning of key airframe components, avionics updates, and refurbishment of mission-critical systems such as radar, electronic surveillance equipment, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
Although no precise delivery date has been disclosed, the estimated timeline suggests that certification and maintenance procedures will conclude between February and March, with the aircraft expected to enter service in Argentina between April and May.
Upon arrival, the aircraft will be assigned to the Naval Aviation Command and integrated into operational deployments under the Joint Maritime Command. Its primary role will be to conduct maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations, including the surveillance of Argentina’s 200-nautical-mile EEZ, a region frequently threatened by illegal fishing activities and unregulated maritime traffic. Additionally, the P-3C Orion’s anti-submarine warfare capability provides the Argentine Navy with a renewed ability to track and deter potential underwater threats.
Beyond territorial surveillance, the platform’s endurance and payload capacity enable it to support extended-range missions over the South Atlantic and Antarctica. This capability enhances Argentina’s ability to project power over its maritime domain and strengthens logistical and reconnaissance support for Antarctic operations. The aircraft's long-range sensors and networked data-sharing capabilities will also improve coordination with surface and submarine units, ensuring a more effective maritime security posture.
While the P-3 Orion platform remains a proven asset for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare, its long-term viability will depend on continued investment in sustainment programs and potential future upgrades. The Argentine Navy will likely need to evaluate modernization paths for avionics, sensor packages, and airframe life-extension programs to ensure that these aircraft remain effective against emerging maritime threats.