The Argentine Chief of Staff officially acknowledged delays in the arrival of the second P-3C Orion aircraft destined for the Argentine Navy. This was confirmed in Report No. 142, recently presented to the Chamber of Deputies.
These aircraft, acquired from the Kingdom of Norway, are intended to reinforce the capabilities of the Naval Aviation Command , a critical aspect in maritime surveillance and airspace defense .
The second P-3C Orion was initially expected to arrive in Argentina in April or May of this year , but the transfer is now estimated to take place in the second half of 2025 .
According to the official report, the first P-3C Orion has been received and is operating without incident . However, the second aircraft, currently undergoing maintenance and refurbishment , is being operated by MHD-Rockland, which is responsible for aircraft services and spare parts .
This maintenance is essential to ensure the proper operation of the aircraft , which will subsequently be transferred to the Almirante Zar base in Trelew.
Defense Ministry officials clarified that the second aircraft is part of a broader acquisition , which includes a total of four P-3C Orions .
However, confirmation of delivery schedules is subject to "necessary adjustments" in the preparation and maintenance of each aircraft. Each of the acquired aircraft has an average of 17,000 flight hours , so their use will allow them to operate for at least 15 years.
The Navy awaits the arrival of a P-3C Orion in N version , specifically designed to perform search and rescue tasks . In turn, the three C version aircraft are designed to carry out maritime patrol operations and anti-submarine actions .
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