Argentine Marines

The Naval Infantry Command (Spanish: Comando de la Infantería de Marina, COIM), also known as the Naval Infantry of the Navy of the Argentine Republic (Spanish: Infantería de Marina de la Armada de la República Argentina, IMARA) and generally referred to in English as the Argentine marines are the amphibious warfare branch of the Argentine Navy and one of its four operational commands.

Argentine Navy Infantry
Infantería de Marina de la Armada de la República Argentina
Active1807-present
Country Argentina
Branch Argentine Navy
TypeMarines
RoleAmphibious Warfare
Size5,500
Part ofArgentine Navy
Motto(s)PATRIAE SEMPER VIGILES
(Always vigilant for the Fatherland)
MarchMarcha de la Infantería de Marina
(Marine march)
Anniversaries19 November 1879
Websiteargentina.gob.ar/imara
Commanders
CurrentRear. Adm. Pedro Eugenio Galardi[1]

The Argentine marines trace their origins to the Spanish Naval Infantry, which took part in conflicts in South America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Argentine marines took part in various conflicts of the nineteenth and twentieth century, notably the War of the Triple Alliance and the Falklands War. The marines (represented by the 5th Naval Infantry Battalion) are considered to have been among the best Argentine combat units present in the Falklands. The most recent war in which Argentine naval infantry took part was the Gulf War of 1990.

Today Argentine naval infantry are frequently deployed on UN peace-keeping missions.

History

The Marines trace their origins in Spanish Naval Infantry, at the time of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. After the Argentine War of Independence, it was under joint administration of the Argentine Army and the Argentine Navy. A 1946 law placed the marines solely under the jurisdiction of the Navy.

List of conflicts involving Argentina Marines
Argentine Marines using an Assault Amphibious Vehicle to patrol Port Stanley during the occupation of the Falkland Islands 1982.
Spanish rule
Independence
Argentine Confederation
Argentine Republic

Present

IMARA routinely train in joint exercises with similar units of Brazil, Chile and the United States.[2] However, as of 2021 component battalions were reported to be at about 60 percent of their authorized strength levels due to lack of personnel and resources.[3]

Current deployments
2009: Training on USS Oak Hill

IMARA had two companies as part of the Argentinian battalions in Cyprus (UNFICYP, 1992 to 2003) and Haiti (MINUSTAH, 2004 to 2015). The former remains as a platoon-size unit as a consequence of the missions downsizing, and the latter finished its tour in 2015. A small platoon was also deployed in Serbia/UN Province Kosovo (NATO KFOR mandate), attached to Argentine Engineers Company, which was in turn attached to the Italian Brigade.

A few marines officers are routinely deployed as military observers for the UN.

Structure

Argentine Marines have the same rank insignia and titles as the rest of the Argentine Navy, and are trained in the same institutions for officers and NCOs. Until the 21st century the Marine Corps Basic School provided post-graduate officer and basic enlisted training.

Fleet Marine Force (FAIF)

The FMF was formerly called the Brigada de IM No. 1 ( English: 1st Marine Brigade )

  • 2nd Marine Corps Battalion
  • 1st Amphibious Vehicles Battalion
  • Amphibious Engineers Battalion
  • Command and Logistical Support Battalion
  • 1st Communications Battalion
  • 1st Field Artillery Battalion
  • Anti-aircraft artillery Battalion
  • Amphibious Commandos Group (APCA)

Southern Marine Force (FAIA)

The SMF was formerly called the Fuerza de M No. 1. (English: 1st Marine Force)

River Operations Unit
  • 3rd Marine Corps Battalion

Marine Security Forces
  • Navy General Staff Security Battalion
  • Puerto Belgrano Naval Base Security Battalion
  • 15 Security Companies assigned to naval bases, Naval Air Stations, and Marine bases

Ranks
Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Argentine Marines
Almirante IM Vicealmirante IM Contralmirante IM Capitán de Navío IM Capitán de Fragata IM Capitán de Corbeta IM Teniente de Navío IM Teniente de Fragata IM Teniente de Corbeta IM Guardiamarina IM
Enlisted
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Argentine Marines
Suboficial mayor Suboficial principal Suboficial primero Suboficial segundo Cabo principal IM Cabo primero IM Cabo segundo IM Infantería de Marina primero Infantería de Marina segundo

Equipment
Main article: List of weapons of the Argentine Navy
  • Marines from Argentina line up in formation alongside U.S. Marines during the largest amphibious assault exercise in Latin America, UNITAS 45-04
    Marines from Argentina line up in formation alongside U.S. Marines during the largest amphibious assault exercise in Latin America, UNITAS 45-04
  • LVTP7 of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA), locally known as VAO (Vehiculo Anfibio a Orugas)
    LVTP7 of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA), locally known as VAO (Vehiculo Anfibio a Orugas)
  • Panhard ERC 90 of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA).
    Panhard ERC 90 of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA).
  • LARC-5 and Humvee of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA), locally known as VAR (Vehículo Anfibio a Ruedas).
    LARC-5 and Humvee of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA), locally known as VAR (Vehículo Anfibio a Ruedas).

See also

References
  1. ":: Armada Argentina ::". Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  2. Videos from Ops: Intercambio Sur, Anfibio, UNITAS, etc Archived 25 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Reconfiguración de la Armada Argentina". 7 November 2021.
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