The administration of President Javier Milei has formalized a financing agreement with a European bank for the acquisition of light helicopters for the Argentine Navy. Decree 924/2025, published in the Official Gazette, authorized the signing of a credit agreement in the amount of €71,676,175 with Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank (CACIB). The goal is the purchase of aircraft that will be operated by the Naval Aviation Command (COAN).
The operation is part of the so-called Light Helicopter Acquisition Program, which will allow the Argentine Navy’s offshore OPV patrol boats to finally have their exploration helicopters, with which to complete patrol missions in the waters of the South Atlantic. This type of light helicopter stands out for its high speed, maneuverability and excellent flight conditions. They can operate on all ships of the Naval Fleet and on OPVs, to which they will be mainly intended.
The contract includes a flight simulator, training courses for pilots and specialists, instruments and spare parts. The original goal was to get 8 cars, but for now there will only be 4 new helicopters with the possibility of acquiring the other four units in a reasonable time.
This marks a key turning point in reversing Naval Aviation’s decline, which persisted despite significant effort from its personnel. The program, which passed all the filters of agencies, such as the Central Bank and the Cabinet Secretariat, was approved, to the extent that the aforementioned bank indicated that this purchase “implies a limited impact in macroeconomic terms on international balance of payments flows” and, therefore, this purchase does not and will not affect the national economy.
Although with notorious economic difficulties, the government is trying to set up some re-equipping programs for armed institutions, we hope that such programs will be realized.
Article by defensa.com
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