Argentina has announced it will permanently retire its Super Étendard aircraft by the end of 2026, bringing more than four decades of service to a close.
The Super Étendard played a prominent role during the 1982 Falklands War, sinking HMS Sheffield and the logistics vessel Atlantic Conveyor using AM39 Exocet missiles.
The five ex-French Navy Super Étendard Modernisé (SEM) jets delivered to Argentina in 2019 never entered operational service due to UK export restrictions preventing the acquisition of Martin-Baker ejection seat components.
Argentina's Navy abandoned plans to return the SEM aircraft to service in 2023 before announcing their retirement this year.
Argentina also plans to retire its single Eurocopter AS555 Fennec 2 helicopter in 2027 and its SH-3 Sea Kings from 2031.
