The Argentine government has ratified its firm interest in completing the purchase Three Scorpene-class submarines For the French company Marine groupin an attempt to replenish the strategic military capability that the Navy has lost since the tragic sinking of the tanker Ara San Juan in 2017. The operation became one of the administration’s most important defense projects, despite the required investment amounting to approx 2.3 billion dollars, It represents the biggest obstacle at the negotiating table.
For the first time, an executive from the French company publicly referred to the negotiations. Laurent MaurySales Director for Latin America at Naval Group confirmed that Argentina, like other countries in the region with older fleets, is striving to acquire Update your forces. Although the director confirmed the executive authority’s desire to move forward with purchasing the units, he clarified that the process is underway “stagnant” Because “there is no agreement on the financial aspect and on officially starting the process.”
The turning point for the project lies in the necessity of obtaining an external loan supported by the French state. Argentine authorities acknowledge that the purchase It is not possible to continue without a loan guaranteed by ParisProviding financing for this type of operation does not fall directly on the company. Moore noted that credit terms are a critical factor, and that the down payment required to begin construction is usually there 15% of the total amount.
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The cost of the acquisition was considered in Argentina’s budget planning. The 2025 draft budget has already provided for authorization to take on debt $2.31 billion Under the title “Underwater recovery”. government Javier Miley Find a payment system that… Improving credit conditions and provide predictability for the overall construction schedule, which should span several years.
He also has negotiation Geopolitical component Naval Group, in which the French state retains a majority stake, It seeks to strengthen its position in the region Military sales can be linked to other interests, such as a Greater participation in the Argentine mining sector.
Despite the president’s public leaning toward Scorpene, the initiative faces internal debates in the country. he Ministry of Defense Local manufacturing is excluded due to the lack of infrastructure at shipyards such as Tandanor, although the Argentine strategy is focused on Restoring technical capabilities Through major fleet maintenance and repairs.
A NATO submarine fired a live torpedo into the North Sea and sank the Norwegian frigate KNM Trondheim.
Brazilian success as a model and technical details of Scorpene
The takeover model chosen by Argentina contrasts with the case of… Brazilwho chose a scheme for Technology transfer and long-term local construction. The bilateral agreement signed in 2008 allowed the neighboring country to develop Its own marine industry in the Itaguay Marine ComplexAnd it’s already showing the results: the Brazilian Navy has just demonstrated “Admiral Karam“, the fourth submarine in the Scorpene series.
Other countries in the region, e.g chilialso operates Scorpene-class submarines. This model, chosen by the Argentine government, is an advanced military platform: its combat system is integrated Over 36 million lines of codecan shoot F21 heavy torpedoes It is designed to support updates for approximately 30 years.
The Brazilian experience shows the scale of these projects. The agreement included investing one million dollars to establish a marine industry Thousands of jobs. In addition to the four conventional submarines, Brazil is progressing in the development of submarines “Alvaro Alberto” The first nuclear-powered submarine, giving it command of the region’s newest submarine force.
While the entire construction of the submarines will be carried out in France, the Argentine Navy is seeking to focus technology transfer on specific areas. The goal is for Tandanur Restore technical expertise By taking on mid-life maintenance tasks and major fleet repairs. Naval Group completes the offer with Training simulators To check “how the fleet operates” from day one.
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