The President negotiates the acquisition of submarines to restore submarine capabilities lost after the ARA San Juan tragedy. I will also buy a police car.
October 11, 2025 – 11:39am
Countdown to Arrival of the first batch of F-16 fighters The submarine, which the government paid $300 million to buy from Denmark, is already on the horizon for Javier Milley’s government, which has its sights set on its next military target. The acquisition is to restore reporting capacity lost after the tragedy of the ARA San Juan, which sank on November 15, 2017 with 44 sailors on board. Specifically, it is managed jointly with France by La Libertad Avanza (LLA).Purchase three Scorpene-class submarines, spending at least $2 billion.. This sales contract is based on the letter of intent that the ruling party signed with the French side in November last year. the submarine in question It will be built by Naval Group Company..
The decision to consolidate the Scorpene purchase was anticipated by Millais himself in a statement to French media Public Senna. In this regard, the President declared: “We finally have a great relationship with France. We are buying submarines and we are buying submarines.” some ships patrolling the coast”.
Purchase of submarines from France: what will happen to the financing?
The president said negotiations to acquire the submarines had made progress in recent months, building on the fluid relationship maintained by Milais and Emmanuel Macron. He stressed that, in addition to ensuring country risk mitigation, improving the macroeconomy will be key for Argentina to complete the purchase.
Macron’s influence is thought to be key to the purchase plan, which also happens to mean France will start receiving payments for the submarines. From the first deliveryan option that is not typically common in military purchasing operations.
Regarding the funds allocated to this acquisition, it is worth remembering that the 2025 Budget, published late last year, states: Already approved for US$2.31 billion multi-year financing For “underwater recovery”. However, the possibility of paying ‘on delivery’ gives governments the possibility of facilitating purchases without incurring immediate debt.
The Scorpene is a submarine that has a strong presence in the navies of Chile, Malaysia, India, Brazil, and Indonesia. And according to the respective military platform, the following general aspects are presented:
- Surface displacement: 1,600 to 2,000 tons.
- Total length: 72 meters.
- Underwater speed: 20 knots.
- Diving depth: 300 meters.
- Autonomy: 78 days on an 80-day mission.
- Autonomy when submerged: 12 days.
- Crew: 31 people.
- Total weapon load: 18 (including torpedoes and missiles).
- Weapon tubes: 6.
- Combat Management System: Subtics.
- Available days at sea: 240 days per year.
Possibility of regaining strength of Scorpene and submarines
Regarding this type of submarine, Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Carlos Maria Alievi said in the middle of last year that Scorpene “will allow us to restore submarine capability in the medium term. It is a strategic and extremely important capability for us. Capabilities the Navy has had since 1933When the first submarine arrived. ”
“Analyzing the southern cone, Chile and Brazil have the Scorpene, and the rest of the countries, we are talking about Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, have 209 vessels. As a submarine, the Scorpene has better operational capabilities, and acquiring that submarine will establish a strategic balance. It will be on par with Brazil and Chile.” he added.
Meanwhile, Millais also said Argentina was in talks with France to buy patrol vessels. In that case, it would be equivalent to four OPVs similar to the Bouchard class, which the Navy has acquired in recent years.
The official intention is that the police car in question assigned to the Navy Department and to replace the five Mantilla-class units that have served the force for more than 40 years.
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