South Korean KAI In Advanced Talks With Argentina and Botswana About FA-50 Golden Eagle

Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), the country's sole aircraft manufacturer, said Friday it is in talks with nine countries to export its trainer aircraft.
The company exported a total of 145 trainer planes -- made up of the turboprop KT-1 basic trainer and the supersonic T-50 advanced jet to countries in Europe and emerging markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The total value of sales has reached US$3.7 billion so far.
In a press meeting, KAI President and Chief Executive Kim Jo-won said talks with Botswana and Argentina are at an "advanced stage" and "good results" are expected later this year or early next year.
"As the countries with which KAI are in talks are developing economies, they require financial loans from South Korean banks in order to place the aircraft order with KAI," Kim said.
yonhapnews

Saab not selling Gripens to Argentina

A proposed sale of 24 Saab Gripen E/F combat aircraft to Argentina is highly unlikely to happen, a senior company representative told reporters on 27 April.
"[A Gripen sale to Argentina] is not something that we are involved in, and isn't something that we would consider at present. Maybe in the future, if relations with the UK were to improve it could happen, or [if relations don't improve] then perhaps we could source some [UK-made] components from elsewhere, but right now no," representative said.
Nilsson referenced the United Kingdom as the British government has indicated that it would veto any Gripen E sale to Argentina, which disputes its sovereignty of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). The United Kingdom will manufacturer many of the aircraft's flight and mission systems.
Prior to Saab's most recent statement on the issue, Brazilian government officials had said that they did not think that the United Kingdom would veto any such sale to Argentina (Brazil's interest in the sale lies in the fact that the Argentine aircraft would likely be sourced from its licenced production facility that is being set up to partially satisfy the Brazilian Air Force's order for 36 aircraft).
It is likely that Argentina will not be able to wait this long for a replacement fighter anyhow, and while this might make the country an attractive prospect for the Gripen C/D, which Saab is to continue marketing and developing in parallel to the E/F, the Swedish manufacturer is unlikely to want to upset such an important industrial partner as the United Kingdom in offering even this aircraft.
The Gripen E is one of a number of types that have been linked with a possible Argentine sale over recent months. Others include surplus Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons from the United States, the Israel Aerospace Industries Kfir, CAC FC-1 (JF-17 Thunder), and J-10 fighters from China as well as Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer' aircraft leased from Russia. While some commentators have dismissed the Su-24 proposal as a Latin American hoax, it surfaced again only a few days ago during a meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Of all these options though, the Chinese FC-1 proposal appears to be the frontrunner at this stage.
janes

Argentina And Russia Could Be in Potential Deal With SU-24

The Argentinian President is in Moscow to sign a series of strategic partnership deals with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
While focussing on trade, energy projects and communication - agreements on military cooperation will also be signed.
Among them could potentially be a deal for Moscow to supply the Argentinians with 12 Sukhoi SU-24 attack aircraft.
forces

UK Seeks To Update Falklands Air Defense

Britain is to invest US $268.7 million over the next 10 years strengthening its military presence on the Falkland Islands and has already started looking for a contractor to build a key element of a ground-based air defense (GBAD) system.
Defence Secretary outlined plans to deploy helicopters and upgrade port facilities along with the GBAD system to boost Britain's military on the islands.
Two Chinook support helicopters will be operational by the middle of next year along with communications capabilities for the British headquarters at Mount Pleasant airfield.
A number of projects to replace some of the aging infrastructure are also included in the long-term capability plans, including the refurbishment of Mare Harbour.
The introduction of the Chinooks is a significant capability which will provide reactive, 24/7 tactical mobility, in order to allow a swift and decisive response to any emerging incidents.
The announcement follows a review of the islands' defenses conducted by the MoD over the last 18 months or so.
The British defend the island with a force including four Typhoon jets, an offshore patrol vessel, a ground based air defense system and infantry.
There are about 1,200 soldiers, sailors and airmen based on the Falklands.
Even before the announcement, Britain had already taken a significant step toward updating its air defenses on the Falklands by kick-starting a competition to supply a key element of a new ground-based system.
With an aging Air Force, Argentina poses no threat to the islands. The Argentineans, though, have been trying, so far without success, to modernize a force that consists of Mirage III, Super Entendard and Nesher combat jets.
The Buenos Aires government has always denied media reports that it was in talks to buy or lease Sukhoi Su-24 jets from Russia in a beef-for-fighters barter.
defensenews

Argentina enviará delegación a China para la compra de 24 JF-17. No se descarta la compra de Mirage F1 a España o Kfir Block 60 de Israel

Argentina negocia con China la compra de hasta 24 aviones chinos caza FC-1/JF-17 con capacidad de llegar hasta las Islas Malvinas, según lo confirmó el ministro de Defensa. El funcionario adelantó que entre este fin de semana y la semana que viene una delegación oficial viajará al país asiático para empezar las conversaciones.
El ministro de Defensa aclaró que China no es el único país con el que negocian para la compra de aviones de combate. Por el momento, la Argentina tiene "dos opciones formales": los modelos F1 españoles y los Kfir Block 60 de Israel.
Cuando tengan todas las ofertas formales sobre la mesa se resolverá qué aviones comprar, con la intención de que esto suceda antes de fin de año.
lagaceta

Argentine technical mission to China to evaluate JF-17

In the coming weeks a technical delegation from Argentina's Air Force will be travelling to China to assess the convenience of purchasing Chinese jet fighters to replace the obsolete French made Mirages.
Only a month ago president Cristina Fernandez was in Beijing where she sealed an “integral strategic alliance” with China.
Negotiations remain secret but according to Argentine sources the purchase could range between 14 and 20 aircraft, basically the FC-1/F-17 'Thunder'. The single engine fighter is considered modern, affordable for developing countries, and has been tested in combat.
Another option is the Chengdu J-10B, and according to the website China Military Online, closely linked to the Red Army, this fighter has the capability of confronting the “RAFs' Typhoons stationed in the Falkland Islands”.
Likewise Argentina's defense links with China are believed to be quite advanced in reference to the supply of 'Malvinas Class' offshore patrol vessels, a polar icebreaker exploration vessel to replace the ”Almirante Irizar” and the 21-ton infantry armored vehicle Norinco VN1 8x8 with 105 mm gun and 120 mm mortar-armed versions, which also includes an amphibious version.
If the agreement is concluded, it could mark a major step in Argentina's long-standing effort to revive its military capabilities and would constitute a major success for China's 15-year endeavor to expand its military influence and market share in Latin America.
mercopress

Former China PLAAF Pilot says Argentina has bought J-10 'Typhoon beater'

A former PLAAF pilot has published an article on China Military Online advocating that Argentina buys the J-10B combat aircraft
Argentine-Chinese talks on aerospace co-operation have previously focused on the less capable JF-17 FC-1.
China Military Online, the website of the semi-official PLA Daily newspaper, has published an analysis advancing the case for China to supply the Argentine Air Force with the J-10B combat aircraft rather than the CAC/PAC JF-17/FC-1. The article was published a week after the visit to China by Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner early this month and the reported establishment of a joint Chinese-Argentine fighter aircraft working group.
janes

Argentina and China agree fighter aircraft working group

Argentina and China are to form a working group to look at the possible introduction into Argentine Air Force (FAA) service of a new Chinese fighter type.
The working group, which was discussed during a visit by between Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to Beijing, will look at the possible transfer of a range of military equipment to Buenos Aries. Chief among this equipment is either the Chengdu FC-1/JF-17 or the J-10 fighter aircraft.
Ahead of any transfer of aircraft, the working group will examine means by which the FAA might integrate such aircraft into its inventory, and support them once in service. Argentina stands to receive 14 fighter aircraft should the proposed transfer go ahead.
For some years now, Argentina has been trying to replace its antiquated and increasingly unserviceable Mirage IIIEA, Dagger, and A-4 Skyhawk fighter fleets with a newer and more capable type.
News of the Argentine-Chinese working group comes weeks after it was reported that Russia had courted Argentina with the possible lease of Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer' strike aircraft. While the UK Ministry of Defence took these reports seriously enough to review the defence of the Falkland Islands, the Su-24s would have no really operational utility for the FAA.
Other, more realistic, options that have been touted over recent months include surplus Spanish Mirage F1s, Israeli Kfirs, and Saab Gripen E/Fs. All of these appear to have stalled for either economic or political reasons.
The Chinese FC-1/JF-17 has also been previously touted as a possible option for the FAA.
janes

UK Bolsters Falkland Defenses to Counter Argentine Air Ambitions

British military capability planners are eyeing a major improvement to ground-based air defenses in the Falkland Islands amid continuing signs that Argentina is looking to update its Air Force with modern strike aircraft.
Argentina and the UK fought a short but bloody war over the British territory in 1982. The dispute received new life recently by Argentinean President Cristina Kirchener's launching a diplomatic war of words in an effort to eject the British.
Now it has emerged that the British have been planning to replace the aging ground-based system on the Falklands with a package including a battle management command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (BMC4I) system, a new missile and a radar.
As recently as December, unconfirmed reports emerged that Buenos Aires was in talks with the Russians over the possible lease of a squadron's worth of Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer attack jets in a move that would threaten Britain's control of the skies locally.
The reports drew a response from the UK Defence Ministry that it would adjust defense capabilities to the appropriate level to address any threats to the disputed islands, which the Argentinians refer to as the Islas Malvinas.
Britain has maintained forces on the island since the war. The force includes four Typhoon jets, Rapier missiles, naval assets and around 1,200 troops.
Last year, the British spent £63 million (US $95 million) for defense of the Falklands.
It is not possible to say when the Falklands system would enter service, as the project, which is fully funded, is in only its assessment phase.
The British effort to bolster its air defense capabilities on the South Atlantic islands comes as Argentina continues efforts to find a way of updating an Air Force that is pretty much flying the same aircraft as it did when it attacked the Falklands.
The financially hard-pressed Argentineans have made several attempts to buy second-hand combat jets, such as the Mirage 2000, without success.
Recently, Buenos Aires signaled interest in acquiring Saab Gripen NG fighters from a production line being set up in Brazil.
That came to nothing after the UK government warned they would block any sale by refusing to approve the export of the substantial amount of British technology used in the fighter.
Although media reports that the Argentineans are looking at the Su-24 have been denied by Buenos Aires, analysts in the UK said an eventual purchase of a credible combat jet could alter the balance of power in the South Atlantic.
defensenews

Russia Plans To Offer Argentina Long-Range SU-24 Fighter Bombers, Falklands Defence Under Review After Military Deal between Russia and Argentina

The Argentinian
fighter jet deal involves a lease/lend of 12 Sukhoi Su-24 supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft. They are old but NATO still regards the code-named “Fencer” as a “super-fighter” with an impressive 2,000-mile range and ability to deploy laser-guided missiles.
The aircraft, which Moscow will swap for beef and wheat, would be able to mount air patrols over Port Stanley.
UK Ministry of Defence officials fear Buenos Aires would take delivery of the planes well before the deployment in 2020 of the Navy’s 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and its F-35B fighters, leaving a “real window of vulnerability”.
Defence cuts have left the Falklands with just four RAF Typhoon fighters, Rapier surface-to-air missiles and fewer than 1,200 troops, supported by a naval warship that visits throughout the year.
The deal involves a lease/lend of 12 Sukhoi Su-24 supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft.
Russia has been increasing its links with Argentina since 2010, when it provided two Mi17.
Buenos Aires needs to replace its decrepit fighter fleet but its attempts over the past two years have failed so far.
In October, Argentina Defence Minister announced the purchase of 24 Saab Gripen fighters, which were to be provided by Brazil, which has just purchased 36, but United Kingdom squashed the deal as some of the jet’s parts are made in the UK Tensions over the islands resurfaced after exploratory seabed drilling revealed the promise of an oil bonanza.
express.co

Argentina Buying Gripens? UK Say 'No Way'

Argentina’s Defense Minister Agustin Rossi surprised just about everybody when he announced on Oct. 21 that his government intended to buy 24 Saab Gripen E fighters to re-equip his nation’s ancient Air Force.
But Rossi’s request appeared to ignore a likely insurmountable hurdle to the sale: Britain, its longtime foe, has a near veto on the export of the combat jet as a result of the substantial number of UK systems in the jet. More than 30 percent of the new version of the Gripen being developed by Saab is supplied by British industry.
Selex ES’ key active electronically scanned array radar, landing gear, ejection seat, electronic system and other sub-systems would all be hit by a British block on military exports to Argentina.
British business secretary Vince Cable invoked the ban on the sale of all military and dual-use technology for use by Argentina in 2012. That export license is still in place and will likely remain given the impasse between the two nations over resolving the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
The Argentinean defense minister made the purchase of the aircraft dependent on his country participating in the Gripen E program signed by Saab and the Brazilian government, which will see South America’s biggest nation buy at least 36 fighters.
The deal involves an assembly line set up by Embraer in Brazil, joint development of a two-seat version of the Gripen and an export drive to other South American air forces.
Ironically, the UK government supported the Gripen sale to Brazil due to the high level of British material in the aircraft.
Doug Barrie, the senior air analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London said that while it would be feasible to replace UK systems on the Gripen, the practicalities are something different.
“Argentina is not flush with money, and the reality is that replacing such key systems as the UK supplies would come with significantly high requalification costs,” he said.
Sources with knowledge of the South American fighter market said Saab has been approached several times over the past few years by the Argentineans over a possible Gripen deal only to be quietly rebuffed by the Swedish company.
Rossi’s announcement during a roll-out ceremony of Embraer’s KC-390 airlifter in Brazil caused alarm in Britain, which is in a long-running dispute with Argentina over who owns the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malivinas Islands.
The issue came up in the UK Parliament last week and the House of Commons defense committee tried to quiz armed forces chiefs on Nov. 5 about the implications for the defense of the islands from a Gripen sale to Argentina.
Argentina has been trying to replace the aging fleet of Dassault combat aircraft for some time. Most recently, second-hand Spanish Air Force Mirage F1s were being considered, but that deal has yet to materialize. hasn’t yet come to anything.
c4isrnet

Brazil and Argentina to negotiate over the joint purchase of JAS-39 Gripen

Brazil and Argentina are to hold negotiations over the possible procurement of Brazilian-made JAS-39 Gripen, but Swedish-designed, jet fighters.
The decision was announced in Brazil by visiting Argentine Defense Minister.
Brazil's Ministry of Defense said the talks over the possible purchase of 24 Brazil-produced Gripens would include not only the conditions of purchase but also Argentina's participation in the production of the Saab-designed aircraft.
Brazil and Argentina already cooperate on a number of defense projects.
Brazil is expected to sign an agreement with Sweden later this year for the procurement of 36 Saab Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft, with provisions for technology transfer and local manufacturing.
upi.com

Argentine Mirage F1 buy reportedly stalls

Argentine sources have told IHS Jane's that the planned procurement of 16 Dassault Mirage F1M fighters from the Spanish Air Force has stalled and could possibly be cancelled. Local media reports indicated that the Argentine Air Force (FAA) has begun analysing other options, including second-hand Dassault Mirage 2000s from France or Brazil, but appears to be leaning towards an Israeli offer of 18 IAI Lahav Kfir Block 60 multi-role fighters for USD500 million, with a possible delivery date some 15 months after a contract signature.
The deal's cancellation has not been confirmed, but its causes could, if it happens, include a mixture of technical and political concerns.
janes

Presentación del IA-63 Pampa III

 

 

 

Cockpit del Pampa III

Mock-Up (maqueta) del IA-73 / Unasur-1 presentada  en FAdeA.

Via facebook "Fuerzas de Defensa Argentinas"

FAdeA to roll out new IA-63 Pampa III trainer variant

Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) is expected to roll out a new version of its IA-63 Pampa III jet trainer on 10 October.
FAdeA is expected to produce an initial batch of 18 of the new aircraft. The company hopes to build a total of 100 Pampa IIIs for Argentina and export customers. Some of those will be configured as an attack variant.
The Pampa III is designed to avoid the use of any British-built components and this has included replacing the type's Martin-Baker Mk10 ejection seat with a Russian model.
While UK companies are being excluded because of a political dispute over the ownership of the Falkland Islands, foreign companies such as Israel Aerospace Industries, Elta Systems, Rockwell Collins, Liebherr and Sagem are supplying components for the Pampa III.
The Pampa III is expected to make its first flight in December 2013.
The Pampa III is the third iteration of the venerable trainer that was originally designed with assistance from the now-defunct German airframer Dornier Flugzeugwerke. Eighteen examples of the original design were built for the Argentinian air force in the late 1980s, while a second batch of modernised Pampa IIs was built in 2006.
flightglobal

Argentina buys 16 Mirage F 1 from Spain; half have air-refuelling capacity

Argentina has confirmed the purchase of 16 second hand Mirage F-1 decommissioned from the Spanish Air force in an operation valued at 170 million Euros. The expenditure is contemplated in the 2014 budget bill approved in the Lower House and which awaits debate in the Senate.
The Mirages were decommissioned by the Spanish Air Force at the airbase of Los Llanos in Albacete during a ceremony last June. They had been refurbished in the nineties with improved avionics and firing capacity.
Apparently the Mirage F-1 has a last generation laser inertial system which ensures autonomous navigation of great precision with a GPS and a computer that optimizes besides navigation, the targeting system.
They have a maximum speed of 1.320 kilometres and flight autonomy of 500 miles and of the 16 eight have air fuelling capacity from a Hercules C130, according to the Spanish Air Force.
The Spanish air force is replacing its ageing Mirage with Euro-fighter Typhoons.
The Argentine air force currently has an estimated 25 Mirage 5 and Mirage III with over thirty years in service, some of them fought in the South Atlantic conflict with Britain in 1982 when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. However according to Argentine sources the aircraft are virtually out of use because of lack of spares and an adequate maintenance.
So far besides the budget confirmation there is no further news, or even when the F-1 will be arriving in Argentina, most probably for the Tandil air base Likewise pilots and technical teams will have to be trained for the incorporations.
mercopress

More info in miragec14

El Ejército del Aire comenzará a negociar esta semana la venta de los Mirage F1M a la Fuerza Aérea Argentina

Argentina comprará nuevos aviones Mirage F1 a España

El Ejército del Aire busca comprador para 19 aviones F-1 antes del 1 de enero

Se hace oficial la compra de Mirage F1 del Ejército de Aire por Argentina /Official:Argentina buys Spanish Mirage F-1

Falklands alert as Argentina strikes £145million deal for 20 Mirage F1 warplanes ex-Spanish Air Force

Argentina may buy Spanish F1Ms to threat the Falkland Islands

Los Mirage F1 del Ejército del Aire ¿de la Base Aérea de Albacete a las Malvinas?

ESPAÑA, CERCA DE VENDER A ARGENTINA LOS MIRAGE F-1 QUE SE 'JUBILAN' EN ALBACETE

¿Los Mirage F-1M mas cerca de Argentina?De nuevo se rumorea que la Fuerza Aérea Argentina va a adquirir 12 Mirage F1

El Ejército del Aire comenzará a negociar esta semana la venta de los Mirage F1M a la Fuerza Aérea Argentina

Los amigos de Archivo Mirage, nos envían desde Argentina, este extracto de una publicación aparecida en el medio Gaceta Aeronáutica, el cual transcribimos:
"El Jefe de la FAA, Brigadier Callejo, el pasado 24 de septiembre informó lo siguiente al respecto de los Mirage F-1M":
"En otro orden de cosas, la semana que viene está viniendo la comisión del Ejército del Aire Español para empezar la primera reunión de compra de los aviones F-1 que estarían viniendo, por supuesto con créditos a varios años, una cantidad de entre 15 y 17 aviones F-1 para la Fuerza Aérea Argentina. De todas las cuestiones que se han ocupado en todos estos años es la primera vez que se llega a la reunión de una comisión de compras como la que se va a hacer la semana que viene."
Es decir, durante esta semana llegará a Argentina la comisión del Ejército del Aire a Buenos Aires para ir cerrando el tema de la venta.
Reiteramos nuestro agradecimiento a Archivo Mirage

Más información en Gaceta Aeronáutica

Se hace oficial la compra de Mirage F1 del Ejército de Aire por Argentina /Official:Argentina buys Spanish Mirage F-1

Reproduzco aquí un comentario que me pasan desde Argentina, el cual agradezco enormemente.
Se ha oficializado la compra de Mirage F-1 por parte de Argentina a España. Acaba de publicarse el Presupuesto Nacional para 2014 y en el folio 115 se menciona la incorporación de los aviones para la FAA:
Aún no se sabe el precio y la cantidad de aviones, repuestos, motores, etc, pero ya es oficial.
__________________________________________________________________
The Argentinian Govermment has made published in the 2014 Budget, that Fuerza Aérea Argentina is to buy ex-Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force) Mirage F1. The number and the amount of the deal is still unknown.

Vea decisión del consejo de Ministros del Gobierno Argentino, aviones para la FAA, página 115:/Read Here Budget Document, page 115

El Ejército del Aire busca comprador para 19 aviones F-1 antes del 1 de enero

El pasado 24 de junio, el Ejército del Aire despidió en la base de Albacete al Mirage F-1. España llegó a contar con casi un centenar de unidades de este modelo, que ha sido relevado por el Eurofighter. El Ministerio de Defensa ha entablado negociaciones con varios países interesados en hacerse con un saldo de aviones de combate en condiciones ventajosas. Aunque el Ejército del Aire solo mantenía operativos entre cuatro y ocho aparatos, los expertos estiman que se pueden vender hasta 19 unidades tras su puesta a punto.
El lote se completaría con simuladores y un importante stock de repuestos. Aunque no hay precio cerrado, se estima que la operación podría rondar los 38 millones. El problema es que para vender los aviones hay que mantenerlos en buen estado y el Ejército del Aire ya ha advertido de que no tiene fondos para mantener a la vez los F-1 y sus sustitutos, los Eurofighter. Por eso, se ha dado de plazo hasta el 31 de diciembre, cuando entre en vigor el nuevo presupuesto, para venderlos.
Tres potenciales compradores se han mostrado interesados en la venta: Argentina, Ecuador y Egipto. Este último parece excluido tras el reciente golpe de Estado, que ha llevado al Gobierno español a suspender temporalmente todas las exportaciones de armas. De su lado, el Ejército argentino dispone de cazas de fabricación francesa Mirage III, a los que quiere dar de baja lo antes posible, por lo que el F-1 podría servir como solución transitoria; mientras que Ecuador tenía F-1 pero lo ha sustituido por el Cheetah sudafricano. Una alternativa es Perú, a quien Defensa ha ofrecido, hasta ahora sin éxito y como material de segunda mano, los primeros Eurofighter que recibió el Ejército de Aire español.
elpais

Falklands alert as Argentina strikes £145million deal for 20 Mirage F1 warplanes ex-Spanish Air Force

Argentina has launched a new round of sabre-rattling against Britain by buying a squadron of warplanes to be based within striking distance of the Falklands, the Sunday People has revealed.
President Cristina de Kirchner – who wants the UK to hand over the disputed islands – personally agreed the £145million deal to buy 20 second-hand Mirage F1 jets from Spain.
The 1,453mph aircraft carry a fearsome array of weaponry including smart bombs.
Argentina’s move could force the Ministry of Defence to bolster Britain’s presence in the south Atlantic, even though its budget is to be slashed by £875million in 2015.
Senior officers believe Argentina could now begin a campaign of ­“pester patrols” – flights towards the Falklands to test RAF responses.
mirror