Argentina Military Forces

Strategic Position

Argentina occupies a central position in the Southern Cone, with strategic interests concentrated on the South Atlantic, the Magellanic passages, and claims over the Argentine Antarctic Territory. Primary security concerns involve the protection of maritime resources within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)—specifically targeting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—and the maintenance of territorial claims in the South Atlantic, including the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Under the administration of President Javier Milei, Argentine defense policy has shifted toward a definitive alignment with Western powers, specifically the United States and Israel. In April 2024, Argentina formally requested to become a "global partner" of NATO, seeking to enhance interoperability and access to advanced training and technology. The country retains its status as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) of the United States, a designation held since 1998. Regional relationships with Brazil and Chile remain cooperative, characterized by joint exercises and confidence-building measures, though Argentina’s recent pivot toward Western security frameworks marks a departure from previous regional multi-alignment strategies.

Military Forces

The Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic are organized into three primary branches under the Ministry of Defense, supported by two major paramilitary organizations under the Ministry of Security. Total active military personnel number approximately 100,000, supported by approximately 30,000 reserves.

Argentine Army (Ejército Argentino): The army maintains approximately 10 brigades, including armored, mechanized, mountain, and paratrooper units. The armored core consists of the Tanque Argentino Mediano (TAM), which is currently undergoing modernization to the 2CA2 standard with Israeli technology. The first batch of these modernized units entered service in late 2024. The army is also transitioning its mechanized infantry toward wheeled platforms, having reached agreements for the acquisition of Stryker 8x8 armored vehicles to enhance rapid deployment capabilities.

Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina): The air force is in a transition phase following the 2024 purchase of 24 F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons from Denmark. The first operational units arrived in late 2025, with full integration and operational status at the VI Air Brigade in Tandil expected during 2026. This acquisition restores supersonic intercept capabilities lost in 2015. The force also operates the A-4AR Fightinghawk and the domestically produced IA-63 Pampa III for training and light attack. Transport capacity is being reinforced with C-130 Hercules and Embraer ERJ-140 aircraft.

Argentine Navy (Armada de la República Argentina): The navy focuses on maritime surveillance and Antarctic logistics. Its surface fleet is centered on German-designed MEKO 360 destroyers and MEKO 140 corvettes, most of which require extensive maintenance or mid-life upgrades. The most modern assets are four French-built Gowind-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). In 2025, the navy began incorporating P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Norway. Argentina currently lacks an operational submarine capability, though a letter of intent for Scorpene-class submarines was signed with France in late 2024.

Paramilitary Forces: The National Gendarmerie (Gendarmería Nacional) consists of approximately 40,000 personnel tasked with border security and internal stability. The Naval Prefecture (Prefectura Naval) maintains approximately 35,000 personnel and acts as the national coast guard, operating a fleet of patrol vessels and aircraft for fisheries protection.

Defense Industry

The domestic defense sector is led by FAdeA (Fábrica Argentina de Aviones) in Córdoba. Current projects include the serial production of the IA-63 Pampa III Block 2 and the development of the IA-100B "Malvina" primary trainer. FAdeA also serves as a regional supplier for Embraer, producing components for the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. In the maritime sector, the Tandanor and Río Santiago shipyards focus on the repair and modernization of the existing fleet. Argentina also maintains advanced nuclear engineering capabilities through INVAP, which is developing the CAREM-25 small modular reactor (SMR) and participating in joint ventures for radar and satellite technology.

Strategic Trends

The primary trend in Argentine defense is the systemic shift toward NATO-standard equipment and Western logistics. Modernization priorities for 2026 include the infrastructure preparation for the F-16 fleet and the procurement of 8x8 armored vehicles. While defense spending has historically hovered between 0.6% and 0.8% of GDP, the 2026 budget project aims to increase the combined allocation for defense and internal security toward 2% of GDP, though persistent economic volatility remains a constraint on procurement timelines. A major doctrinal priority is the "Defense of the South," emphasizing a reinforced military presence in Patagonia and the South Atlantic to deter incursions into national waters and support Antarctic logistics.