Argentine Navy

The Armada República Argentina (ARA) is the navy of Argentina. Born as a result of the May 25, 1810 revolution, it was not until 1814, under the leadership of Lt. Colonel (Navy) William Brown when it became a decisive player in the fight for independence from Spain.

In the late 19th century, the Armada Argentina began modernizing itself.

Although Argentina remained neutral in both world wars, the Argentine Navy was a force to be reckoned with. In the postwar period, Naval Aviation and Marine Corps units were created and developed. Along with Brazil, Argentina is one of the two South American countries that have operated two aircraft carriers effectively.

Despite the regional power of the Argentine navy, it was proved wholly ineffective against the Royal Navy during the Falklands War. Despite leading the invasion of the Falkland Islands, the Argentine navy played a small part in the subsequent conflict with the Royal Navy. After HMS Conqueror sank the ARA General Belgrano, the navy's fleet dared not venture from a 12 mile coastal limit imposed by the British lest they too were attacked by the Royal Navy's fleet of nuclear powered submarines.

The only naval success of the war was the fleet air arms use of Exocet missiles, sinking the HMS Sheffield and the Atlantic Conveyor.

Contents

1 Sea Fleet 2 Naval Aviation 3 Marine Corps 4 Submarine Force 5 Ranks 6 Links

Sea Fleet

Destroyers (DDG)

Almirante Brown-class (MEKO 360)

• ARA Almirante Brown (D-10)
• ARA La Argentina (D-11)
• ARA Heroína (D-12)
• ARA Sarandí (D-13)

Hércules-class (Type 42 destroyers)

• ARA Santísima Trinidad (D-2) - in reserve

Frigates (FFG) (classified by the Argentine Navy as "corvettes")

Espora-class (MEKO 140)

• ARA Espora (P-41)
• ARA Rosales (P-42)
• ARA Spiro (P-43)
• ARA Parker (P-44)
• ARA Robinson (P-45)
• ARA Gómez Roca (P-46)

Drummond-class (D'Estienne d'Orves class)

• ARA Drummond (P-31)
• ARA Guerrico (P-32)
• ARA Granville (P-33)

Large Patrol Vessels

Murature-class

• ARA Murature (P-20)
• ARA King (P-21)

Supply ship (AOR)

• ARA Patagonia (B-1)

Amphibious Command Ship (LCC)

• ARA Hércules (B-52) - formerly a Type 42 destroyer, reconverted to fast Marine transport and command vessel.

Amphibious Assault Vessel (LKA)

• ARA Bahía San Blas (B-4)

Icebreaker (AGOS)

• ARA Almirante Irizar (Q-5)

Auxiliary Ships

Naval Aviation

• 1 Fighter Attack Sqn.
• 1 Light Attack Sqn.
• 3 Helicopter Sqns.
• 1 Transport Sqn.
• 1 Liaison Flt.
• 1 Training/Light Attack Sqn.
• 1 Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron
• 1 Patrol Squadron

Marine Corps

Fleet Marine Force

• 2nd Marine Infantry Battalion
• 1st Amphibious Vehicles Battalion
• Amphibious Engineers Battalion
• Command and Logistical Support Battalion
• 1st Communications Battalion
• 1st Field Artillery Battalion
• Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion
• Amphibious Commandos (Special Operations Group)

Southern Marine Force

• 4th Marine Infantry Battalion
• 5th Marine Infantry Battalion
• Naval Detachment Río Grande

River Operations Unit

• 3rd Marine Infantry Battalion

Marine Security Forces

• Navy General Staff Security Battalion
• Puerto Belgrano Naval Base Security Battalion

Auxiliary Units

Submarine Force

Submarines

Santa Cruz-class (TR-1700)

• ARA Santa Cruz (S-41)
• ARA San Juan (S-42)

Salta-class (Type 209)

• ARA Salta (S-31)

• 1 Special Forces Group (Tactical Divers)
• 1 Rescue Ship
• 1 Patrol Boat

Ranks

Officers

• Almirante (Admiral – USN Admiral)

• Vicealmirante (Vice Admiral – USN Vice Admiral)

• Contraalmirante (Rear Admiral – USN Rear Admiral Upper Half)

• Capitán de Navío (Warship Captain – USN Captain)

• Capitán de Fragata (Frigate Captain – USN Commander)

• Capitán de Corbeta (Corvette Captain – USN Lieutenant Commander)

• Teniente de Navío (Warship Lieutenant – USN Lieutenant)

• Teniente de Fragata (Frigate Lieutenant – USN Lieutenant J.G.)

• Teniente de Corbeta (Corvette Lieutenant – USN Ensign)

• Guardiamarina (Midshipman – 1st. commissioned rank, no USN equivalent)

Enlisted Men and Non-Commissioned Officers

• Suboficial Mayor (Master NCO – USN Master Chief Petty Officer)

• Suboficial Principal (Senior NCO – USN Senior Chief Petty Officer)

• Suboficial Primero (NCO 1st Class – USN Chief Petty Officer)

• Suboficial Segundo (NCO 2nd Class – USN Petty Officer 1st Class)

• Cabo Principal (Senior Corporal – USN Petty Officer 2nd Class)

• Cabo Primero (Corporal 1st Class – USN Petty Officer 3rd Class)

• Cabo Segundo (Corporal 2nd Class – USN Seaman)

• Marinero 1ro (Seaman 1st Class – USN Seaman Apprentice)

• Marinero 2do (Seaman 2nd Class – USN Seaman Recruit)

Links

• Official website (http://www.ara.mil.ar)