Argentine Navy evaluates acquiring helicopters for ocean patrol vessels

The Argentine Navy is evaluating the acquisition of new light helicopters.

The process would be aimed at the search for new helicopters to operate from the four OPV 87/90 patrol boats recently incorporated by the Argentine Navy.

Given their purpose, the incorporation of light helicopters capable of being embarked on the new patrol boats of the Argentine Navy is being sought.

Considering part of the tasks performed by these ships, future helicopters must have the optimum capacity and technology to carry out Search and Rescue (SAR) missions on the high seas, such as being equipped with a lateral winch for rescue tasks and the capacity to transport cargo in a sling.

It should be noted that the current helicopters in service in the Argentine Navy, Aerospatiale AS555 SN Fennec and UH-3H Sea King, landed on the deck of the new patrol boats.

However, both helicopters have limitations for the missions performed by these ships.

The Fennecs have a very limited capacity to perform search and rescue missions due to the limited transport space and the lack of a lateral winch.

On the other hand, the Sea King, although they have operated with the patrol boats, cannot be loaded in the ship’s hangar.

As previously reported, the main options analyzed (Leonardo AW109M, T625 Gökbey, and AS565 MBe Panther) would meet the proposed requirements to provide the patrol boats with an essential complement such as light/medium helicopters, extending their range and potential.

Likewise, thanks to new information gathered by Zona Militar, it is appropriate to mention and rectify that the future incorporation would not replace the Fennecs since the profile of the evaluated helicopters is different.

It would be the first time in the history of the Argentine Navy that ships whose primary mission is surveillance and maritime patrol would have specific onboard helicopters for that function.

At present, the Aerospatiale AS555 SN Fennec 1era Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Helicópteros del Comando de Aviación Naval are the only light helicopters owned by the force.

Incorporated in 1996, they brought a new capability to the Argentine Navy, such as the designation of over-the-horizon (OTH) targets, thanks to their radar. Of the four units initially acquired, their operability is limited, used by the 1st Naval Air Helicopter Squadron.

With information from Zona Militar

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