Argentina studies the purchase of four Scorpène submarines from Naval Group

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Argentina is studying the possibility of acquiring up to four Scorpène class submarines from the French shipyard Naval Group, according to local newspaper Clarín, and thus recover the submarine capacity of the Navy, a force that since the sinking of the ARA San Juan -and the loss of its 44 crew members- lacks operational units.

According to high military sources, quoted by Clarín, “the project is long term and aims at a force of four conventional Scorpène class submarines, developed by the French Naval Group but manufactured in Rio de Janeiro”.

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It is for this reason that the Minister of Defense, Jorge Taiana, would take advantage of his next visit to France, on the occasion of the launching of the last ocean patrol boat acquired from Naval Group, to hold a meeting with his French counterpart, Florence Parly, to discuss the possible transaction.

SCORPÈNE CLASS SUBMARINES

The Scorpène class submarines are fifth generation submarines used by the Chilean, Brazilian, Indian and Malaysian navies and have a machinery power of 2.3 MW and a maximum speed of 21 knots. Its dimensions are 66.4 m in length, 6.2 m in beam, 14.5 m in depth, and 5.2 m in draft. It also has six 21-inch torpedo tubes.

“The cost of a submarine of these characteristics would reach 700 million dollars, for which reason, and despite the fact that the Armed Forces have the National Defense Fund (Fondef), an operation of this magnitude would require international financing”, reported the article published yesterday in Clarín.

TRAINING ON SUBMARINES IN PERU

Last year, 15 Argentine submariners completed their practical training in units of the Peruvian Navy. Three officers and seven corporals attended a three-week activity in which they received theoretical classes, sailed and dived on board the submarines BAP Islay, BAP Arica and BAP Pisagua, and were instructed in the simulators of the Peruvian Submarine School.

During the last meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff between the two navies, the Argentine representatives expressed their gratitude to the Peruvian Navy for the support provided for the training of the submariners in that country, news covered by Infodefensa.com at the time.

With information from infodefensa