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Argentina’s search for a new fighter
There is currently no possibility of Argentina expanding its Super Étendard (‘SuE’) fleet (Argentina eyes Super Étendards, August, p20). Restrictions on budget and the availability of training aircraft has impacted the air force and navy, and the influx of newly qualified combat pilots has fallen to a minimum. Both services lack the qualified crews needed to expand their aircraft fleets.
The Argentine Navy would be making a huge mistake by replacing its newer (less used) SuEs with worn-out albeit more advanced Super Étendard Modernisé (SEM) jets. There are no plans to do so. Instead, the navy would like the more advanced avionics of the SEMs to install in their SuEs, as well as spares for the airframes and engines.
After being neglected by politicians since the 1990s, the Argentine Navy has manifold requirements. With the entire warship fleet badly in need of refitting and upgrades, it looks unlikely that the service will manage to buy a handful of SEMs.
Rumours suggest the defence ministry is more likely to retire the SuEs from service without replacement. The current government wants naval aviation to focus on the priorities of maritime patrol and surveillance.
