Correction: A previous version of this story misstated how much detecting, deterring and fighting illegal fishing in Argentina’s exclusive economic zone costs the country annually. It’s between $1 billion and $2.6 billion per yr, based on Luis Piñeiro, an independent defense and security analyst based in Buenos Aires. A previous version of this story also misidentified the date the letter of intention was signed. That took place Sept. 22.
SANTIAGO, Chile — Argentina’s Defense Ministry has signed a letter of intention for the procurement of eight AW109M lightweight helicopters from Italian firm Leonardo.
The agreement was signed Sept. 22 as Argentine Defense Minister Jorge Taiana visited Italy to see the aircraft’s production line.
The AW109Ms can be utilized by the Argentine Navy in a seagoing role aboard French-built Bouchard-class offshore patrol vessels, acquired between 2019 and 2022 to patrol the country’s exclusive economic zone to discourage and forestall illegal exploitation of fishing resources.
A military source in Buenos Aires, speaking on condition of anonymity as a consequence of the sensitivity of the defense program, told Defense News that “until now the OPVs have been going to sea carrying Airbus AS555 Fennec helicopters. But those aircraft are intended and needed for weapons-targeting functions and training with missile frigates and corvettes, as an alternative of coast guarding work.”
Funding for the acquisition of eight to 10 lightweight helicopters for the Navy was already included in the federal government’s draft budget for 2024, which was submitted Sept. 15 to the Chamber of Deputies throughout the Argentine Congress.
The budget request seeks $110 million for the maritime lightweight helicopter program, to be spent over 10 years.
Luis Piñeiro, an independent defense and security analyst based in Buenos Aires, told Defense News that “it is a long-due and needed step, which can add to the recent acquisition of P-3C Orion [maritime patrol aircraft]. It would bolster Argentina’s capacities to detect, deter and fight illegal fishing that cost the country between $1 billion and $2.6 billion per yr.”
José Higuera is a Latin America correspondent for Defense News.