Argentina begins negotiations on the purchase of three submarines

Argentina has started negotiations on the purchase of three French Scorpène-class diesel-electric submarines.

Radar Austral reported about this.

The Argentine government has signed a Letter of Intent and formalized the official negotiation process with the Naval Group to construct three Scorpène-class submarines.

The document was signed during Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri’s and Navy Commander Carlos Allievi’s visit to France.

According to the newspaper, the cost of each submarine is estimated at about $700 million, and construction takes 6-7 years.

However, this estimate seems a bit too optimistic, given that in May 2023, the Romanian parliament approved the purchase of two Scorpène-class submarines. The deal’s value was estimated at EUR 2 billion, and the term of execution was 8 years.

However, the Argentine government has not yet been able to sign a contract to purchase submarines, as it does not have a budget line item to allow it.

That is why, in early September, President Javier Milei presented a draft budget bill for 2025. It provides for a loan of USD 2.31 billion for the “Restoration of Underwater Potential.” This should be enough to build three submarines.

Scorpène-class submarines

Argentina has chosen the Brazilian modification of the Scorpène-class submarine, also known as Riachuelo.

The Riachuelo-class submarine can stay underwater for about 70 days during operational activities. Its maximum speed underwater is 20 knots, and its working depth is up to 300 meters. The autonomy is 45 days, and the crew consists of 35 people.

These submarines are equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system that provides a range of 18,500 km.

According to the media, unlike the Brazilian version, which has six torpedo tubes, each Argentine submarine is planned to be equipped with four 533-mm torpedo tubes. The ammunition will consist of 18 torpedoes or SM-39 Exocet or Harpoon anti-ship missiles.