CHAPTER XIV: THE ARGENTINE ARMY
The wide geographical spaces characterizing the Argentine territory have historically exercised a special influence on the development of the ground forces, a factor especially emphasized by the topographical and climatic diversity of the country.
In addition, a new demand has arisen for the international presence of the force, based on the country's involvement in different types of peacekeeping operations.
1. Organization and deployment
The Army's main operational structure is based on Army Corps (Large Battle Units) formed by Brigades (Large Combat Units).
This core organization is complemented by a School Brigade reporting to a Military Schools Command.
The Army structure also comprises the Buenos Aires Military Garrison and the Army Air Command.
Brigades are based on the weapon system involved. The member units complement each other's functions and thus provide operational autonomy.
This means that a Brigade is the smallest unit ready for independent combat, based on the interaction of its components. This feature demands particular efforts in ground training.
There are different types of Brigades:
- Armored Brigades, formed on the basis of three Armored Cavalry Regiments and one Mechanized Infantry Regiment, in addition to the pertinent fire, combat and logistics supporting resources. Its vehicles are designed for combat against armored units.
- Mechanized Brigades, formed by two Mechanized Infantry Regiments and one Tank Cavalry Regiment, in addition to the pertinent fire, combat and logistical supporting resources. These Brigades are provided with different types of armored track vehicles, suitable for infantry combat, land exploration and combat against tanks.
- Mountain and Forest Brigades formed by two or more Infantry and Mountain or Forest Cavalry Regiments, in addition to the pertinent fire, combat and logistics supporting resources. The units forming these Brigades are equipped with light equipment easy to transport by horse and mule, in the case of Mountain Brigades.
- Airborne Brigade, whose structure is based on two Parachute Regiments, in addition to the pertinent, fire, combat and logistics supporting resources. Their material and equipment is designed to be transported, landed and eventually launched from aircraft during flight. All its members are capable of parachuting directly into the area where military operations are to be carried out.
Recently, the Army created an Air Assault Battalion capable of displacing part of its resources with its own helicopters.
The Army has reorganized its logistics structure, previously based on Logistical Battalions that had to accompany the movements of the Brigades with all their resources, even the heaviest ones, which made them less speedy and mobile. Instead, the present Logistics Support Bases only send out a small portion of their resources (all of them being light in nature) and remain in place to support the Brigades operating in the area, acting on the basis of geographical criteria.
To support Argentine commitments towards world peace, the Army and its counterparts in other nations have joined the Multinational Fast Deployment Brigade (SHIRBRIG) that will operate under the UN. A light reconnaissance sub-unit was organized for this purpose.
With the aim of providing the desired excellence in Service members' education and training, the School Brigade was organized in 1991. This School is formed by all schools of the various Services.
The above changes were accompanied by a series of measures aimed at reorganizing the Regiments, Combat Support Battalions and other organizations, in order to adjust them to the Volunteer Service requirements, to group training needs and to the rationalization of the administrative structures.
This has resulted in smaller, more flexible and mobile units, with improved operational capabilities.
Unit concentration has allowed optimizing both the operations and the administration of the Service. An example is the reduction of the number of organizations and units from 287 to 144 during the period 1983-1998.
The Combined Weapons Elements (EAC) organization started in late 1997 with the creation of Detachments on the basis of an Infantry Regiment, an Artillery Group and an Exploration Section.
The Executive recently approved the creation of the Combined Weapons Detachment "San Julián", in the province of Santa Cruz. Studies to organize new EAC on the basis of existing organizations continue.
Figure 14-1 shows the organization chart of the Army's senior level and structure, while figures 14-2 and 14-3 show its territorial deployment.
2. Equipment and assets
Tactical units are provided with various types of military equipment, which allow them to perform their functions in modern combat fields. Some examples are:
- Close combat, an activity performed by Infantry and Cavalry organizations.
- Fire support, performed by the various types of Artillery units.
- Combat support, a responsibility of the Engineers and Communications Branches together with Intelligence and Army Aviation organizations.
- Logistical support, a function basically performed by Combat Support Services.
In this sense, many direct action organizations are basically equipped with different types of mechanized and armored vehicles, personnel transport vehicles and various helicopters and aircraft which operate in close contact with ground units. Combat organizations designed to operate in the mountains and forests are equipped with light materials, the same as airborne units.
With regard to Fire Support resources, they are incorporated into the Campaign Artillery or Air defense organizations.
As regards the materials provided to the combat support organizations, they are designed to facilitate the movements of the Service's own resources in the battlefield and restrict the movements of the adversary, and allow operational control and command through the use of last-generation technologies.
With respect to Combat Support Service Units, they have the materials required to perform material supply and maintenance functions, as well as medical functions.
In order to provide or recover for service a large part of the materials detailed above, the Army has undertaken a plan aimed at recovering and incorporating material meeting current requirements and suited to the new organization. Some measures adopted were the mechanization process and the increase of Infantry firepower as well as the increase of Cavalry combat power.
As a function of the above, mechanized combat vehicles, tanks, armored Artillery vehicles, mortar carriers, and other units have been incorporated, all of which belong to the so-called TAM (Argentine Medium-sized Tank) category. Reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters have also been incorporated.
Following the same plan, the units have been equipped with modern portable ordnance and individual equipment, different types of surveillance radars, and optical and communications material.
As regards education and training, different simulators were incorporated and modern equipment being developed in the country will also be added. A Training Center was also created to train and test combat resources in the field with material and equipment similar to those normally used.
The main equipment of the Army can be seen in Table 14-4.
TABLE 14-4 - EQUIPMENT OF THE ARGENTINE ARMY
Basic Combat
3. Personnel
Table 14-5 shows the approximate personnel currently serving in the Army.
TABLE 14-5 - PERSONNEL CURRENTLY SERVING
IN THE ARMY
| Officers | 5,300 |
| Non-commissioned officers | 20,600 |
| Volunteer troops | 15,500 |
| TOTAL | 41,400 |
4. Development concept
In parallel, the Army has modernized its organization through an in-depth conceptual transformation of the model that prevailed during the last few decades.
This new scheme, called Plan 2000, completed its experimental phase in 1997 and at present is in its general implementation phase. It is scheduled for completion in 2003.
Thus, the Army has reorganized its resources on the basis of two large groups engaged in different activities:
The first one is a set of military units geographically distributed throughout the country, and operates in the areas of the national territory where they are located. They are called Regional Use Forces.
These Forces are organized, equipped and trained to act in the various geographical regions of the country (mountains, desert, high plateau, forest, etc.) in the cases mentioned above, and they assist neighboring communities struck by natural disasters.
The second group is called Variable Use Forces and is organized and equipped so as to allow the Army to carry out its functions within and outside the national territory.
Because of their versatility, autonomy and location these Forces allow the country to be ready to give the necessary, adequate and sustained response in the various scenarios where the interests of the Argentine Republic are at stake.
Variable Use Forces are located in central regions of the national territory, are provided with significant combat power and are able to move quickly to places where contingencies requiring their presence arise.
Some of their main functions include the capability to move outside the country to comply with Argentina's international commitments.
CHAPTER XV: THE ARGENTINE NAVY
The protection of Argentina's interests over the sea zones located next to its coasts or beyond them, whether acting jointly with other countries or independently, requires a wide range of military capabilities.
The dimension of the areas involved and the requirement of naval forces to perform those functions are significant and the resources are always proportionally scarce.
The geography and the maritime and fluvial interests that Argentina needs to defend form the basis to design a desirable Navy; resources and smartness will determine the actual Navy.
1. Organization and deployment
Figures 15-1 and 15-2 show the current organization and deployment of the Navy.
The operational organization of the Service is based on two concepts: the Readiness Commands and the Naval Areas, both reporting to the Naval Operations Command.
Readiness Commands manage and prepare the forces and units assigned, which are formed by ships, submarines, aircraft and Marine Corps units, according to the Navy's plans and policies. Their objective is to provide and sustain adequate and timely resources required for Naval Operations Training and the execution of the Naval Operations performed by the Navy.
These Commands are:
* The Surface Fleet Command, located at Puerto Belgrano. In turn, this Command comprises:
- A Destroyer Division for anti-surface and anti-submarine actions and anti-missile defense.
- Two Corvette Divisions for anti-submarine defense, sea control, ecology and electronic warfare.
- An Amphibious Naval Command responsible for planning and executing amphibious operations and air defense tasks.
* The Submarine Force Command, based in Mar del Plata, comprises the following:
- Submarine Units with anti-surface and anti-submarine capability, capable of carrying Tactical Divers (Seals) and Amphibious Commands
- Tactical Divers Group (Seals)
- Submarine Search and Rescue Groups
- The Mar del Plata Naval Base, providing logistical support to the Submarine Force.
* The Air Naval Command, based at Puerto Belgrano. The following organizations report to this command:
- Air Naval Force No. 2, based at the Comandante Espora Air Naval Base. It concentrates combat and anti-submarine aircraft forming the Fleet's Air Naval Group.
- Air Naval Force No. 3, based at the Almirante Zar Air Naval Base, provided with Exploration and Sea Surveillance Squadrons, Electronic Surveillance and Mobile Logistical Support.
- The Naval Air Training Command and the Naval Aviation School based at the Punta Indio Naval Air Base; the Advanced Training and Attack Squadron and the Aerophotographical Group report to this organization.
* The Marine Corps Command, based at Puerto Belgrano, has subordinate multipurpose forces that were recently reorganized and that are in process of modernization. It is formed by:
- The Surface Fleet Marine Corps Force, based at Baterías. It carries out amphibious tasks and is integrated by:
. The Marine Corps Battalion No. 2.
. The Command and Logistical Support Battalion
. The Amphibious Vehicle Battalion
. The Campaign Artillery Battalion No. 1
. The Air Defense Battalion
. The Group of Amphibious Commandos
- The Southern Marine Corps Force, based at the cities of Río Gallegos and Río Grande, which operates in cold areas and on the particular terrain of that region. Its function is to contribute to sea control. It is formed by:
. The Marine Corps Battalion No. 4
. The Marine Corps Battalion No. 5
. The Río Gallegos Naval Detachment
. The Río Grande Naval Detachment
- Marine Corps Battalion No. 3 will be based at Zárate, to perform fluvial and coast operations.
- The Baterías Marine Corps Base, which provides logistical support to the Fleet Marine Corps Force and to the Marine Corps Battalion No. 3.
On the other hand, Naval Areas are responsible for providing logistical support, through their bases, to operational units based in their jurisdiction or to units of any task organization carrying out operations in their area of responsibility.
Some of them have permanently assigned resources that are appropriate for the area, such as fast boats, patrol boats, mine hunters and patrol ships, but when specific situations come up within a given Area, other operational units are assigned accordingly.
In addition, each Naval Area has different responsibilities in accordance with the specific areas where they exercise their jurisdiction.
On the other hand, the Operational Analysis, Weapons and Electronic Warfare, Communications, Rescue and QBN Defense, Fishery Issues and Search and Rescue Services provide specialized complementary activities in essential operations performing areas.
In particular, through the National Sea SAR Agency the Navy exercises its legal powers as provided for in Act 22445 as regards safeguarding human life at sea according to the international commitments undertaken by the country under the Hamburg Treaty in the frame of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Other organizations
- South Atlantic Maritime Area Coordinator
The South Atlantic Maritime Area (AMAS) was created by a recommendation of the Inter American Committee for Sea Traffic Defense at a meeting held in Buenos Aires in 1965. This area comprises the seacoasts of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The members of this organization are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
AMAS is represented by a coordinator that becomes the Area Commander in wartime. The first South Atlantic Maritime Area Coordinator (CAMAS) was formally designated in Buenos Aires in August 1967. In peacetime, the Camas's functions are performed on a rotating basis by Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
- Naval Hydrography Service
Act No. 19922 is the instrument establishing the mission and functions of this Service, whose mandate is to "provide nautical security to the Nation". To this effect, the Service maintains its assistance systems updated in accordance with technological advances in the area and with the international agreements signed by the country.
Its main duties are the following: publish conventional and special nautical charts, including river sketches; publications such as navigation charts, lists of lighthouses and signals; tide tables and nautical almanacs; warnings to mariners; radio warning service; tide forecasts; sea beacons and the official time.
2. Equipment and assets
The equipment of the Navy is detailed in Table 15-3.
NAVY
NAVAL AIR OPERATIONS
MARINE CORPS
Surface:
Four ship divisions form the Surface Fleet, which is organized by ship types to facilitate training and maintenance control.
- The Amphibious Naval Command has two T-42 destroyers, one transport ship, general support ships and a Naval Beach Detachment (Sea Bees).
- The First Corvette Division Command has three A-69 corvettes.
- The Second Corvette Division has four MEKO 140 corvettes.
- The Second Destroyer Division has four MEKO 360 destroyers.
- Support ships: Logistical, oceanographic, hydrography and patrol ships.
Submarines:
- The Submarine Force has two TR 1700 submarines, one IKL 209 submarine and a rescue ship.
Air Naval Force:
- The Air Naval Training Command has 10 Turbo Mentor (T-34 C) aircraft, 8 Macchi (MC-32) aircraft, 2 Beechcraft (B-200F) aircraft, and 1 Porter (PL-6A) aircraft.
- Air Naval Force No. 2 has 5 Turbo Tracker (S-2T) aircraft, 5 Sikorsky (SH-3) helicopters, 2 Augusta (PH-3) helicopters, 11 Super Etendard (SUE) aircraft, 5 Alouette III (AI-O3) helicopters, and 4 Fennec (AS-555) helicopters.
- Air Naval Force No. 3 has 4 Orion (P-3B) aircraft, 3 Fokker (F-28) aircraft, 1 Electra (L-188W) aircraft, and 5 Beechcraft (BE-200 M/G) aircraft.
Marine Corps:
The Marine Corps either has incorporated individual equipment and ordnance to operate in any type of environment, or is close to doing so. It is provided with short and medium range anti-tank material and the support material (guns) required for artillery fire support, particularly suited to amphibious and coast operations. In addition to its communications equipment it is incorporating resources that meet C3 I2 requirements. It also has the ground displacement resources required for amphibious operations.
3. Personnel
Table 15-4 shows the approximate personnel currently serving in the Navy.
TABLE 15-4 - PERSONNEL CURRENTLY SERVING
IN THE ARGENTINE NAVY
| Officers | 2,300 |
| Non-commissioned officers | 13,400 |
| Volunteer Troops | 1,500 |
| TOTAL | 17,200 |
The education and training of the various groups is carried out in the Schools and Institutes reporting to the Naval Education and Training Directorate. Some of them are the Naval University Institute, the Naval Academy, the Naval Command and Staff College, the Navy Officers Academy, the Navy Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and the Marine Corps Academy.
4. Development concept
It is difficult to design an intermediate Navy such as that of the Argentine Republic, especially because of the size of the geographical scenario. As it cannot be prepared for everything, it is necessary to assign priorities to the resources selected.
It would be wrong to define our naval forces by proportionally reducing the large models existing in the world. The nearly certain consequence would be a Service inadequate for its strategic purposes, in addition to probable technical inconsistencies.
The size of the main mission assigned and the vast maritime spaces encompassing the Argentine jurisdiction and area of interest where the Navy must exercise Control over the Sea and Force Projection lead us to consider that this Navy should have the characteristics of an oceanic navy.
With this oceanic profile, the Navy will be able to exercise the following functions:
- Defense in Depth
- Presence in the sea
- Projection capability
This means that the core of the operational forces should be able to separate itself from land-based logistics and carry out its operations with the resources on board.
Logistical autonomy optimizes deterrence, because it provides not only the capability to defend territorial integrity but also facilitates the use of the resources far from the country's territory. A navy lacking oceanic characteristics would not provide the required deterrent capability.
The involvement in international naval blockade or maritime interdiction operations such as those of the Gulf War and Haiti implies the need for long-distance projection capability.
No naval resource, whether ground, submarine, air or marines, can by itself satisfy all the requirements which the Navy is called upon to meet. All these resources have their own characteristics which, when combined, optimize their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses.
The adequate combination of systems with different but complementary capabilities creates a multiplier effect. The removal of a part of that force can affect overall capability. While individual platforms can be oriented towards the performance of specific tasks, the whole must form a balanced naval force, which should provide the following main capabilities:
- C3 I2
- Anti-surface, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine
- Air naval attack, exploration and air defense
- Amphibious, over limited objectives or in coasts with scarce defenses
- Submarine attack
- Coastal defense, based on mining and mine sweeping/hunting
- Air and floating mobile logistics
- Other specific and support tasks
The modernization undertaken by the Argentine Navy is based on these guidelines.
CHAPTER XVI: THE ARGENTINE AIR FORCE
The intangibility of air space and the large dimensions of Argentine air spaces spreading over national jurisdiction land and sea areas are the main factors that determine the structure and deployment of the Air Force.
The essential importance of the Service for efficient jointness also affects those aspects, while its mobility and redeployment capability make it a natural asset, contributing to the country's international project requirements.
1. Organization and deployment
At present, the Air Force has an organic structure allowing it to comply with all its operational, administrative and logistical obligations and responsibilities, on the basis of Four Superior Commands:
- Air Operations Command
- Personnel Command
- Air Regions Command
- Material Command (Logistics)
Air Operations Command
The mission of the Air Operations Command is to plan and conduct training activities for the operational resources and operational support resources, and to execute in due time any airspace operations and special tasks entrusted to it.
To training effects, the Air Operations Command has Brigades and Air Bases forming Air Groups and/or Squadrons, as well as Technical Support and Logistical Support Squadrons which allow it to train the personnel to perform the various Airspace Operations and their respective Operational Tasks and Operational Support Tasks.
Personnel Command
The main role of the Personnel Command relates to personnel education, training and welfare, and participate in their training through the various Schools and Institutes
Air Regions Command
The basic function of the Air Regions Command is to exercise the powers provided for in act 17285 "Aeronautical Code" and its amendments according to act 21521, "National Aeronautical Police" and act4/26/02 3:31PM4/26/02 3:31PM4/26/02 3:31PM4/26/02 3:31PM4/26/02 3:31PM 12945 "National Meteorology Service". It also manages air traffic, communications, aircraft and personnel registration and certification, the promotion of civil aviation activities, the prevention and investigation of civilian accidents in the national territory and jurisdictional waters and other associated responsibilities, consistent with the country's international commitments within the frame of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
To accomplish its tasks, the Air Regions Command has adopted an adequate organization to carry out the specific functions of each of its areas. Thus, the following organizations report to this Command:
- Central Air Region
- Northwest Air Region
- Northeast Air Region
- South Air Region
In addition to the Air Regions which carry out such obligations in their respective geographical areas, a group of Services and Directorates in charge of specialized tasks also report to this Command:
- National Weather Service
- National Aeronautical Police Directorate
- Air Traffic Directorate
Material Command (Logistics)
The Material Command provides technical and logistical support for the Argentine Air Force and its main role is to plan and manage the Service's material logistics.
Its structure is mainly formed by the following units:
- Río IV Material Area: Its main role is to implement major maintenance work plans and aviation material research, development, repair and manufacturing activities.
- Quilmes Material Area: Its main responsibilities are to repair and maintain aircraft, helicopters, engines, propellers, instruments and fittings, electronic equipment, heavy vehicles and automotive vehicles.
- Palomar Supply Group: This organization is very important because it receives and delivers all the materials supplied to the Air Force, from airplane spares through engines, electronic and communication systems, to the individual equipment for each soldier.
- Córdoba Material Administration Group: This group was created after the privatization of the Córdoba Material Area. Its functions are to control and follow up the work to be performed for the Service by Lockheed Aircraft Argentina S.A.
(See Figure 16-1)
2. Equipment and assets
To carry out its operational responsibilities through effects on material targets, the Air Force performs the so-called "air operations" which, according to the aims pursued, can be the following:
1. Strategic Air Operations
2. Airspace Defense Operations
3. Tactical Air Operations
4. Air Transport Operations
5. Special Operations
The combat and operational support resources employed by the Air Force to achieve its objectives in each of the above operations are the following:
Strategic Air Operations
- Two "DAGGER" airplane squadrons
- Two A4-AR squadrons
- Electronic Warfare and Exploration and Reconnaissance Systems
Airspace Defense Operations
- One MIRAGE III/EA squadron
- Missile Weapon Systems
- Anti-aircraft Artillery Systems
- Air Space Surveillance and Control Group
Tactical Air Operations
- Three IA-58 "PUCARA" squadrons
- One MS-760 squadron
- Electronic Warfare Weapon System
- Exploration and Reconnaissance Weapon System
- Transport Weapon System
- Search and Rescue Weapon System
Air Transport Operations
- One BOEING B-707 squadron
- Two HERCULES C-130 squadron
- One FOKKER F-28 squadron
- One FOKKER F-27 squadron
- One TWIN OTTER DHC-6 squadron
(See Figure 16-2 and 16-3)
Table 16-4 summarizes the main equipment currently available to the Air Force and indicates the unit to which they are assigned.
TABLE 16-4 - EQUIPMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
3. Personnel
Table 16-5 shows the approximate personnel currently serving in the Air Force.
TABLE 16-5 - PERSONNEL CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE AIR FORCE
| Officers | 2,300 |
| Non-commissioned officers | 9,300 |
| Volunteer Troops | 1,500 |
|
TOTAL |
13,200 |
The main Schools and Institutes reporting to the Personnel Command where the different personnel groups are educated and trained are the following: the Military Air Force Academy; the Air Command and Staff College; the Air Force University Institute; the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and the Ezeiza Training School.
4. Development concept
The adjustment of the Air Force to current requirements is being carried out through a medium and long-term plan based on the concept of rationalization.
The objectives of the plan are to improve all the operational capabilities contributing to the deterrent strategy adopted by the Nation.
This criterion implies the selection of global modernization programs allowing the qualitative enhancement of the institution.
These programs contemplate an adequate balance between:
- The need for system modernization, taking into account the age of the present material, as the technological aspect is a crucial factor in the capability of any Air Force.
- The training level and quality, according to the technology being incorporated and based on the intensive use of simulators.
- The quality of the personnel and of the curriculum.
Equipment modernization will be based on interoperability and multipurpose use criteria.
The permanent strategic deployment will be redefined and the resources will be concentrated in relative positions allowing the maximum utilization of the infrastructure, the rationalization of operational and logistical tasks and the reduction of operational expenses. It also includes the concept of redeployment air bases.
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