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Formal farewell for Argentine Malvinas Mirage aircraft, after 40 years service

Monday, August 17th 2015 - 07:18 UTC
Full article 41 comments

Last week the Argentine Air Force formally bid farewell to the remaining French built Mirage jet fighters, which saw combat during the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982, since in three months time they will be decommissioned after four decades service. The occasion was the 103 anniversary of the Air Force (10th August but celebrated on the 13th). Read full article

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  • Self-Determination

    I think Argentina will find that the sea harrier bid farewell to this aircraft a long time ago.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 08:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    “Our dear Mirage will cease to fly at the end of November, and we are waiting for some new system of that quality level and with new technology to replace it” according to the Air Force chief and Malvinas veteran Brigadier General Miguel Callejos.”

    Good luck with that, your despicable government has stolen all the money and the argie arsewipe Peso is going the way of the Yuan: DOWN, just like your obsolete aircraft.

    VFR in a combat plane, oh the embarrassment, oh the JOY (for me anyway).

    AND it looks like ALL your planes will be grounded for the 104th anniversary, oh double joy! PMSL.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 10:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Martin Woodhead

    how was the pampas proven in the Falklands war it didn't fly to 1984 and wasnt in service until 1988

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 11:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zathras

    Decent aircraft,
    but aging badly and unless grounded they would likely start falling out of the sky.

    Rather a problem with procurement there.

    Why does nobody want to sell Argentina weapons of war?

    Maybe a bit rough on Argentina asking them to pay in real money.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 11:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • EscoSes Doido

    At 1,
    Too true, - Read 'Sea Harrier over the Falklands' by Sharky Ward.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 11:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • darragh

    “and played a leading role in war”,

    According to Santiago Rivas in his book “Wings of the Malvinas”, Hikoki Publishing, 2012, Buenos Aires, Pages 206 - 213 at the start of the war there were 16 serviceable Mirage IIIEA's available. During the six weeks of the war they carried out 45 missions over the Falkland Islands in an interceptor role and only met up with SHAR's on one occasion during which 1 Mirage was shot down. Also one other Mirage was shot down by Argentine AAA over Stanley as it tried to make an emergency landing.

    Mirages also carried out 46 'missions' over Argentina.

    In summary :- 91 missions, 2 aircraft shot down, achieved nothing.

    Not exactly what I would call playing a 'leading role'.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 12:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Caledon

    Does anybody know what happened to their IAI Dagger's: Are they still flying ?

    Pucara not Pampas flew in '82

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 12:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • darragh

    @7 Caledon

    Can't give you absolutely up to date figures but as of 2012 the following Daggers were 'still in service'

    C-415
    C-416
    C-417
    C-422
    C-423
    C-432

    These had all been upgraded to Finger III specification

    There are also 3 two seaters in service

    C-426
    C-438
    C-439

    There were originally 24 Daggers and 3 two seaters

    Hope that answers your question

    Kind regards

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 01:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    Argentina pinning all of its hopes on China. How many cows buy a modern jet?

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 02:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Caledon

    @8
    Thanks darragh.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 02:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jakesnake

    @6 Clearly the bar is much lower in Argentina than countries with advanced Air Forces.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 02:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Chicureo

    When I was a cadet in the Chilean Navy, I was in awe (as well as a bit intimidated) of the Argentine Air Force. Unlike most Argentine officers, their pilots generally were outstanding and admired. Our Air Force on the other hand was basically crippled from international sanctions and our old aircraft lacking parts was a challenge.

    Today, how the military situation has changed. The worst part in my opinion is that their pilots have no training, minimal skills and lack courage. They'll need to also import Chinese mercenary pilots if they want an effective Air Force...

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 03:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • mollymauk

    “apparently Argentina's Marambio has the longest and widest airstrip in the white continent, 1.600 by 45 meters.”

    Compared to Chile's runway on King George Island, and the British one on Adelaide Island, which are both properly constructed, well-maintained gravel runways, the mud strip at Marambio is decidedly “dodgy” !

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 03:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Voice

    The abysmal state of their armed forces must be a source of embarrasment and shame to the Argies.

    But, this makes me proud to be British. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-33951868

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 04:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • viejopatagon

    Check the verasity of yor data on the radar sets. All sources I know say no radar sets have been put into service.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 04:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    Famous for being the fighter that didn't fight!

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 04:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • chronic

    It's the same kind of teary eyed nostalgia that I see displayed over Citroen and Peugeot and Chauchat and other french junk.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 05:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    Have they run out of rubber bands ?

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 05:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Poor Argentina, lol

    will they be replaced, probably not,
    Argentina is becoming a nobody in south America,

    and not one friend will lend them a plastic plane let alone a real one...

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 06:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Porto Margaret

    #14

    It will certainly be flying higher and faster than most of the argentine airforce. ; )

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 06:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    But, this makes me proud to be British,

    Agreed.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 06:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • The Voice

    There is a rumour going around that they have been talking to Airfix!

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 07:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jo Bloggs

    22

    Don't worry, the Airfix adhesive is still made by a company that is partly British so the UK Government will have the right to block the sale and have already indicated that they'll be doing so.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 11:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Great_coral_aTrolL

    Back to reality Brittos (aka EUians with bad teeth):

    http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-evidence-prehistoric-massacre-europe-190356970.html

    As I always say, Anglos will be Anglos.

    In this case, EUians will ALWAYS be EUians. Genetically predisposed to murder and genocide since 23.000BCE.

    Aug 17th, 2015 - 11:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jakesnake

    @24 Is that you Toby???

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 12:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    They're estimating U$8B less in exports next year for Argentina.
    And they thought this year was tough
    :)

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 01:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Martin Woodhead

    #24 so that explains your juntas behavior considering most Argentinian are of European descent?
    must try harder

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 08:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    @26 Yankeeboy

    And no China to bail them out this time.

    It's amusing but on another thread MagnusMaster was stating that the ONLY way to get respect was to be powerful enough to force other countries to respect you.

    I guess with the decline of their military that Argentina will be waiting a very, very long time for the power to force others to respect them.

    Of course, as a typical Argentine, he completely misses the point that respect has to be earned, you can't force someone to respect you.

    So the Falklands will remain British for the foreseable future, and then, when they're rolling around in money and they judge the time to be right, and Argentina has devolved into a Somalia like country, they will declare their Independence, and become a new country, and take their place at the UN.

    And Argentina will still not have earned the respect of anyone, and they certainly won't be able to force so much as a kitten to respect them.

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 09:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    28. Magnus has an inferiority and persecution complex. He thinks the USA wants them to be poor and stupid. Most USA Pols have never even heard of Argentina much less care anything about it. And if they have heard about it its from Singer's lobbying efforts.

    Argentina used to be about 5 yrs behind Venezuela, but its catching up fast and may overtake it as the worst performing economy in the world in 2 years. Maybe next year but it all depends on China. I doubt China is going ot loan it any more money. I think they have enough Soy to last them awhile and can wait for it to fall even further before they start buying again. Plus they're having their own problems and I don't think they know how to fix them.
    The stupid shortsighted “unaligned” nations that put all their eggs in China's basket are going to be very very sorry.
    I couldn't be happier.

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 12:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • MagnusMaster

    @28 We can wait.
    Human beings don't respect weak nations that bend over, but strong nations. It is better to be weak and want to be stronger than to be weak and bend over like a coward.

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 02:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    30. Many years ago I posted that Argentina will be more like Bolivia in a decade than the USA. I stand by that post.
    The country's trajectory is abysmal.
    There's nothing to look forward to
    Your lives will be worse next year than this year and so on and so on
    If hyperinflation doesn't start in 2 years or less I will be flabbergasted

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 02:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • MagnusMaster

    @31 It is no wonder that you say I have an inferiority crisis, if you say we are inferior beings who cannot progress.

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 04:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    RT @NavyLookout: Sickening. #Corbyn says we should hand Falklands to Argentina against the wishes of all living in the islands
    https://t.co/ZWyewTwXWB,
    56 mins ago
    Although this seems to be an interview 2 years ago, it does point to a future fact, that if corbyn get to power, then this man will demand a settlement and a deal with Argentina over the Falkland’s,

    We don’t know what will happen in the future,
    But looking at government appeasement trends,
    And it ONLY my opinion I think the Falkland’s people should have an emergency debate and a vote to become a part of the United Kingdom and fully integrated into the country of Cornwall

    And send an MP to London and pay taxes and get the full benefits from being full British citizen’s,, forget independence for another few decades, and as a part of great Britain, argentines claim will be non and void, and the British can intervene more quickly seeing as you would be a part of us,

    This should be done now in respect and a guarantee of any future change of government or UN corruption,
    Better to be safe now, than regret it later,
    Some of you may well disagree, some may well piss on it,
    But if you are confidant with the likes of corbyn then so be it,
    Just my independent thought..

    .

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 06:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • chronic

    If you sent your youngest rotting roadkillians to capitalist countries for rearing they could posssible be saved from lives of future ruin.

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 06:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    TIDE CLASS Ships
    https://twitter.com/hashtag/TideClass?src=hash
    RFA Tidespring in South Korea. Looking good. (photo from DESIDER, magazine

    https://twitter.com/hashtag/TideClass?src=hash

    Looking good and on its way.
    T

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 06:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    32. Argentina has been devolving for 75 years.
    I'm saying it but you're proving it.

    Its not that that you don't have the capacity, you don't have the will.

    Aug 18th, 2015 - 07:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • chronic

    Fun times!

    http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Low-Oil-Prices-And-China-Pull-The-Rug-From-Under-Latin-America.html

    More humor. Left/right: They're equally clueless and this is the essence of rotting roadkill - there are no good politicians or citizens.

    http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Low-Oil-Prices-And-China-Pull-The-Rug-From-Under-Latin-America.html

    Aug 19th, 2015 - 02:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    On the other hand,
    What The Astute-Class Brings To The Royal Navy
    HMS Artful has arrived at her home port, HMNB Clyde, for the first time.

    The Royal Navy’s newest hunter-killer submarine

    They're the world's most advanced hunter-killer submarines
    http://forces.tv/98436661
    .

    Aug 19th, 2015 - 06:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    “and played a leading role in war, all of which makes us feel our dear Mirage has soul and life”, added the Air Force chief.”

    They are still in denial-do they have to bullshit 24/7? The Mirages were pulled back to B.A. in 1982 to guard against possible attack by the RAF's Vulcans.

    Once the Vulcan hit Stanley, it showed that anywhere in Argentina could be hit-hence the withdrawal of the Mirages from the South.

    Regarding their aircraft-I thought some Navy Super Etendards were still operational

    @33 Briton

    You are right to warn about Corbyn.

    He is more dangerous to the Falklands future than any peronist.

    Hope the Falkland Island MLAs don't start sleepwalking again.

    @3 Martin Woodhead

    I was also under the impression that the' Pamper' did not fly until 1984 .

    It must have gone back in time .

    In a similar way to the impressive Argentine feat of sinking HMS Hermes 5 times, and our salvage team's herculean effort to raise the ship 5 times.

    @30
    “Human beings don't respect weak nations that bend over, but strong nations”

    You were not respected in 1982 when your strong nation overwhelmed an under defended Falklands but a few weeks later, your strong forces had their butts kicked.

    Aug 24th, 2015 - 11:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    Some news.
    http://saab.com/land/ground-based-air-defence/ground-based-surveillance/giraffe-amb/

    ”The UK's Ministry of Defence has ordered additional Saab Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam radar systems for use on the Falkland Islands, supplementing existing systems already in use as part of the British Armys' Land Environment Air Picture Provision (LEAPP) system. Delivery of the new Giraffes is scheduled to begin later this year, concluding in 2018. The LEAPP system was declared operational in late 2014, with a contract to supply a BMC4I capability for the system anticipated for next year. The first contingent of five Giraffe systems for the LEAPP system was ordered in April 2008 for $60 million, with this latest contract valued at $74 million. ”

    Aug 25th, 2015 - 12:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • MagnusMaster

    @36 What do you mean that we don't have the will? Do you really think we want to live like that?

    Aug 26th, 2015 - 12:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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