The Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina: FAA) is progressing some of its chief procurement and upgrade programmes, despite both the Covid-19 and economic crises slowing the acquisition efforts of the wider armed forces.
The FAA plans to upgrade its Pampa II (pictured) aircraft to the Pampa III standard as part of a wider modernisation and procurement plan over the coming years. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
Speaking to Jane’s in late April, the Chief of Staff of the FAA, Brigadier Xavier Isaac, noted the key programmes currently under way.
According to Brig Isaac, the coronavirus has actually sped up Argentina’s efforts to modernise four of its Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules airlifters, whose delivery back to the FAA was being delayed. As well, the contract between Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) and the FAA for the work on a fifth aircraft was signed and the aircraft is expected to be ready by early 2021.
The single civil-variant L-100-30 of the air force is already at the factory and the FAA is expected to sign the contract for its modernisation this year or in early 2021. After that, the air force will analyse the possibility of modernising the only other complete C-130H not yet upgraded.
Also in the transport aircraft area, the FAA is moving forward with the tender to buy a second-hand Boeing 737-300, -400, or -700 series aircraft, and have it delivered before the end of the year to replace the current Fokker F.28. At the same time, works are under way aimed at returning a second F.28 into service, with the goal of fielding it until about 2024.
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