Argentina cancels fighter jet transfer to Ukraine amidst pressure

Much was suggested that the Ukrainian army would be strengthened by Super Étendard fighter jets from Argentina. However, at the last moment, there was an unfavourable turn of events from the perspective of the country fighting with Russia. We explain which machines are involved.

In June this year, Argentine media reported that the local authorities, in agreement with the United States and France, had begun efforts to transfer five retired Super Étendard aircraft to Ukraine.

According to Infodefensa, the topic is now outdated. The command of the Argentine navy has decided to refurbish those aircraft and return them to service.

This turn of events suggests that Argentina has found a solution to previously impossible problems. It is unclear how, as a significant issue in this case, the British embargo was imposed during the Falklands War in 1982.

This conflict brought good fame to the Argentine Super Étendard. Despite the British advantage, the Argentine air force, using Super Étendard, inflicted severe damage on the enemy, including damaging the destroyer HMS Sheffield and the transport ship Atlantic Conveyor.

Super Étendard is a single-seat attack fighter jet developed by the French company Dassault Aviation. It was first flown in 1974 and entered service shortly after.

The aircraft measures 14 metres in length and has a wingspan of 9.4 metres. It can reach a speed of 1,179 km/h. Its maximum takeoff weight is 12,000 kg, with 2,100 kg allocated to armament. The standard Super Étendard was equipped with a double-barrel DEFA 30 mm cannon. Still, on its six hardpoints, the aircraft can carry additional weapons such as bombs and anti-ship missiles, including the AM39 Exocet and AS30L Laser.

In July this year, Argentine Defence Minister Luis Alfonso Petri supported Ukraine’s efforts to defend its territories against Russia. The equipment that could theoretically be sent to Ukraine also included Mi-171E helicopters. In recent times, Argentina has been making significant efforts to acquire F-16 fighter jets to modernise its outdated air force, which was ultimately achieved thanks to an agreement with Denmark.