With the recent publication of Public Auction 0014/2024 in the Official Gazette , the Argentine Navy announced the sale of four vessels : the tugboats ARA “Mataco” (R-4) and ARA “Querandí” (R-2), the ARA “Capayán” (R-16) and the research boat ARA “ Cormorán ” (Q-15). This decision raises serious questions about the state of the Argentine naval fleet and the lack of maintenance and renewal that has led to the degradation of these units .
The vessels in question have been classified as Ready Level VI , indicating that they have been removed from active service due to severe structural wear and the obsolescence of their onboard systems.
This deterioration is not simply an isolated problem, but reflects a broader and more worrying trend within the Argentine Navy , where the lack of investment in maintenance and modernization has left the fleet in deplorable conditions, and even generated the historic tragedy of the sinking of the ARA San Juan Submarine years ago.
The auction, rather than being a solution, seems like a desperate response to an infrastructure and resource crisis . By retiring these units, the Navy not only disposes of what it recognizes as obsolete, but also loses the opportunity to rehabilitate and maintain vessels that have been fundamental to the country's defense and history.
The auction of these vessels follows a September 2024 announcement regarding four other vessels for sale , including the ARA “Alférez Sobral,” a symbol of resistance during the Malvinas War.
This framework reveals the contradiction between the need for a modern fleet and the lack of a long-term plan to build an efficient and cohesive navy.
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