Argentine Navy Moves Forward with Super Étendard SEM Reactivation, Potential Transfer to Ukraine

The Chief of the Argentine Navy, in a recent interview, confirmed the Navy's strong commitment to conduct a test flight to evaluate the operability of the Super Étendard Modernisé (SEM) aircraft. These planes, acquired from France in 2019 for €12.5 million, have remained grounded since their arrival due to issues with the ejection seats.

To address this problem, the Navy sent two ejection seats to the Defense Scientific and Technical Research Institute (Citedef) for a gunpowder analysis, which confirmed that they were in usable condition. The seats are currently at the facilities of MBA S.A., undergoing a major inspection to assess the operational status of their mechanical components.

The Navy's primary goal is to perform this initial test flight. However, Vice Admiral Alievi pointed out that there are still four technical issues to resolve: the parachute, the ejection seat, potential structural cracks, and the engine.

Argentina is currently the only country seeking to keep the SEMs operational, which complicates maintenance and the acquisition of spare parts due to their high cost and a British embargo.

On the other hand, the reactivation of the SEM fleet could be linked to Argentine President Javier Milei's proposal to provide Ukraine with five Super Étendard fighter jets, as reported by Infobae. Argentina never deployed these jets, which were purchased from France in 2017, due to a British embargo that prevented the sale of necessary military spare parts to the country.
The potential deal would see Argentina exchanging the Super Étendards for other military assets from France, such as drones or helicopters. Additionally, France would take responsibility for replacing the cartridges in the ejection seats, thereby preventing Argentina from being directly implicated in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This arrangement is designed to ensure that the final political responsibility rests with France, allowing Argentina to support Ukraine in an indirect manner.

France sells five used Super Etendard fighter planes to Argentina

France has sold five used Super Étendard fighter planes to Argentina, which has an outdated military fleet and is hosting large international events in coming years, the French ambassador in Buenos Aires said.
The planes were negotiated during talks over the sale of four ships from French shipbuilding company Naval Group to Argentina, a discussion that Ambassador Pierre Henri Guignard said in an interview is ongoing.
reuters

French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Bound for India After Two Months of Strikes Against ISIS

French carrier Charles de Gaulle has left the Persian Gulf after about two months of strike operations against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL).
The nuclear carrier is now bound for India for exercises with the Indian military.
In its time in the region, the carrier launched an average of 10 to 15 sorties a day with its compliment of about 20 strike aircraft — a mix of Dassault Rafale M aircraft and Dassault Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM).
The strike missions were in support of the U.S. led Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) missions against ISIS.
The departure of the carrier “brings France’s contribution to the anti-Isis air effort down to six Rafales based in the UAE and six Dassault Mirage 2000 in Jordan.
usni

French Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier Launches first attacks in Gulf against ISIS

French aircraft carrier launched operations in the Gulf on Monday.
Four Rafale fighter jets took off in the morning from the carrier as it sailed about 200 kilometers (120 miles) off the coast north of Bahrain in the direction of Iraq.
The Charles de Gaulle left its base in Toulon on Jan. 13 for a five-month mission that will include eight weeks in the Gulf working alongside the USS Carl Vinson as part of the coalition launched after IS seized swathes of Syria and Iraq last year.
The French carrier is then to travel to India, where it is due to take part in exercises in mid-April.
Carrying 12 Rafale and nine Super Etendard fighters, the carrier will significantly increase French air capabilities in the region.
France has nine Rafales in the United Arab Emirates and six Mirage fighters in Jordan operating in Iraq, along with a maritime patrol and a refueling aircraft.
The warship's deployment will cut in half the time it takes for planes to reach Iraq for strikes against IS from the base in the UAE.
The Charles de Gaulle strike group also includes an attack submarine, a French anti-aircraft frigate and the HMS Kent, a British anti-submarine frigate.
It arrived in the Gulf on Feb. 15 after a month of operations in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
defensenews

French Carrier Enters Persian Gulf, ISIS Strike Missions Could Start Soon

French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) has entered the Persian Gulf and could soon start strike missions against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
French president announced the mission on Jan. 14, a week after the attacks in Paris on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
French aircraft were among the first to join the U.S. in strikes on ISIS in Iraq and Syria under Operation Chammal.
To date, France has flown sorties with a collection of about 10 fighters and a collection of information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) planes.
Charles de Gaulle ‘s embarked air assets include two squadrons of fighter aircraft: 11F (or flotille) with the Dassault Rafale M aircraft, and 17F with the Dassault Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM).
usni

Charles de Gaulle to sail for Gulf, possible participation in Islamic State air strikes

The French Navy's aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is deploying with its battlegroup to the Gulf, and is understood to be preparing to contribute to coalition air strikes against Islamic State.
Sailing on 13 January, the carrier battlegroup - which includes a nuclear-powered attack submarine - will head from Toulon through the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf on Operation 'Arromanches'. The deployment is scheduled to last until May at the earliest.
While there has been no confirmation from French authorities, the carrier - with about 20 combat aircraft embarked - is likely to support air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq, Operation 'Chammal'.
'Chammal' was launched in response to an official request for assistance from the Iraqi government. The operation currently involves 15 French Air Force combat aircraft, one Boeing E-3F Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft, and one Boeing C-135FR tanker, as well as two French Navy Breguet Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft.
Public confirmation of Charles de Gaulle 's participation in the strikes could come on 14 January, when president François Hollande is scheduled to give his annual new year's speech to the armed forces aboard the carrier in the Mediterranean.
Charles de Gaulle 's embarked air assets include two squadrons of fighter aircraft: 11F (or flotille) with the Dassault Rafale M aircraft, and 17F with the Dassault Super Etendard Modernisé (SEM). The SEM aircraft are scheduled to be withdrawn from service in 2016 and replaced by the Rafale M. Also present on board are two Northrop Grumman E-2C command-and-control aircraft from squadron 4F.
The Rafale M aircraft on board are currently configured to F3.3 standard, with full capacity in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
janes

La Armada Argentina busca adquirir IA-63, C-295, y mas Super Etendard/Argentinian naval aviation command seeks Pampa deal

El jefe de la Armada Argentina ha revelado cuales son las necesidades básicas de aviación para su servicio, que incluye nuevos aviones de entrenamiento a reacción y aviones de ataque marítimo. La Armada vería con buenos ojos la adquisición de una versión naval del AT-63 Pampa, de los cuales necesitaría entre ocho y doce, para sustituir a los 10 Beech T-34C. No está previsto que pueda operar desde portaaviones.
Otra programa prioritario sería la compra de C-295 para sustituir a los dos Fokker F28 de transporte. Podrían adquirirse cinco helicópteros AS555SN, el cual ya es operado por la Armada Argentina, para sustituir a los SA316 Alouette III que se retirarán el año 2011.
También se va a modernizar los once Dassault Super Etendard, existiendo la opción de adquirir seis mas como sustitutos de modelos accidentados.
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The head of Argentina's naval aviation command has outlined the service's procurement plans, which include the acquisition of new jet trainers, transports and helicopters, plus improved maritime strike aircraft.
The service will prioritise the development of a "navalised" version of FAdeA's AT-63 Pampa. It requires between eight and 12 of the type to replace its 10 Beech T-34C trainers.
Local sources suggest that the new version of the Pampa would be a slight modification to the upgraded AT-63 being marketed to potential export customers Chile and Uruguay. Featuring an upgraded engine and improved avionics, it would have a reinforced landing gear, but would not be intended to operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier.
Another top priority is to replace the navy's remaining two Fokker F28 transports, studies are focused on Airbus Military's C-295.
Sources suggest that five or six Eurocopter AS555SNs could be bought to replace the navy's SA316 Alouette III helicopters, planned for retirement next year. The service already operates four AS555s.
The navy will meanwhile upgrade its remaining Dassault carrier strike aircraft to the French navy's Super Etendard Modernisé standard from next year, with the work to conclude by 2012-13. Argentina has 11 of the type in use.
Local sources suggest that negotiations are also under way to purchase a further six surplus French examples as attrition replacements.
flightglobal.com