Argentine Navy Inducts First P-3 Orion Aircraft Procured from Norway

Argentina's Minister of Defense, Luis Petri, presided over the ceremony for the incorporation of the first of four Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion aircraft acquired from Norway.

The aircraft landed at the Almirante Zar Naval Air Base in Trelew, Chubut Province, in early September.

The acquisition is part of the National Public Investment Project, which seeks to improve the operational and logistical capabilities of the Naval Aviation Command's search and exploration fleet.

The purchase includes three P-3C aircraft and one P-3N mobile logistics support aircraft, all of which will undergo the Aircraft Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP), extending their service life by an estimated 17,000 flight hours, or approximately 15 years. The P-3 Orion is a long-range exploration aircraft designed for maritime control and surveillance. It plays a crucial role in monitoring Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and other maritime spaces under national jurisdiction.

The aircraft can be used for patrol, search and rescue (SAR), anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and humanitarian aid. The introduction of the P-3 Orion is expected to enhance the capabilities of Argentina's Integrated Naval Power, particularly in coordination between aircraft and ships, improving search efficiency beyond the horizon and increasing the likelihood of detecting objects at sea.

The P-3 Orion, powered by four turboprop engines, has a wingspan of 30.38 meters and a range of 1,500 nautical miles, allowing it to cover both Argentina’s coastline and Antarctica. It is equipped with search systems, such as infrared cameras, high-precision sensors, and an automatic ship identification system, enabling real-time data collection, processing, and transmission. Additionally, the aircraft is capable of carrying search and rescue equipment, including flares and sea lines for assisting shipwrecked individuals.