Summary
- Argentina could send old Super-Étendard jets to Ukraine with French help.
- The Super Étendard jets were used by Argentina in the Falklands War against the British.
- Uncertain how useful these jets will be in Ukraine, potentially for air defense against Russian threats.
The war in Ukraine continues to take unforeseen twists and turns. It has just been reported that Argentina is discussing supplying Ukraine with five retired Dassault Super-Étendards fighter jets. These old French-made jets are perhaps best known for their role in the Falklands War when they sunk two Royal Navy ships using Exocet missiles. The announcement comes on the heels of another surprise announcement that France would donate an unspecified number of French Mirage 2000-5 multirole fighters to Ukraine.
Argentina may transfer fighter jets to Ukraine
According to an infobae article, Argentina is negotiating to transfer five Super-Étendards to Ukraine. The Super-Étendards in Argentine service are inoperable due to an arms embargo by the United Kingdom following the Falklands War (they may be French aircraft, but the British have significant leverage in the arms market).
In fact, according to Online.ua, these particular fighter jets have never been used because parts have never been available due to British sanctions. The jets are currently stored at Espora Air Force Base in Puerto Belgrano, Argentina.
France is expected to take the jets, repair them, and then send them to Ukraine. France and NATO have worked with the British to overcome the arms embargo obstacle. It is reported that the deal could involve a swap with France where Argentina could receive drones, helicopters, or some other military equipment in exchange, but this is unknown for now.
It is debatable how useful they will be in Ukraine near the frontlines. They could be useful for air defense against Russian drones and cruise missiles beyond the reach of Russian surface-to-air missiles.
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Super-Étendard: France’s carrier-based fighter
The Super-Étendard (“super battle flag” in French) was France’s first combat aircraft with modern weapon outfits. It made its maiden flight in 1974, and only 85 were ever built. The Super-Étendard is a strike fighter built for French aircraft carriers. France used it in the Kosovo War, the Afghanistan War, and the NATO intervention in Libya as late as 2011. The French finally retired them in 2016.
In the 1970s, Argentina was ruled by a brutal military junta fighting the ‘Dirty War’ against its own people. In response to the Dirty War, the US refused to supply spare parts for Argentina’s A-4Q Skyhawks. Argentina then turned to France and ordered 14 Super Étendards. The first jets arrived in time for the war, and France supplied the remaining jets after the war (another 5 ex-French navy jets were acquired in 2017).
Photo: Dassault
The Super Étendards saw success in the Falklands War, sinking the British destroyer HMS Sheffield and the merchant ship Atlantic Conveyor. However, the British ultimately prevailed in recapturing the islands and forcing an Argentine surrender on the islands. They have ever since maintained an arms embargo against Argentina.
Since President Javier Milei’s election in 2023, Argentina has pursued a more Western-friendly foreign policy. Argentina has declined to join BRICS and successfully negotiated to finally receive replacement Western aircraft in the form of 24 retired Danish F-15 fighter jets. Argentina has also donated two Mi-171E transport helicopters to Ukraine.