News of defence

Trump builds vast Latin America military alliance on the cheap

07-10-2026 12:29 US president has slashed aid to Latin America despite alignment of governments; Military assistance to eight nations dropped to just US$56 million last year.

MALVINAS SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE

President sends Malvinas sovereignty defence bill to Congress

17-09-2026 14:54 Milei calls on political leaders to “pause other debates” to approve bill; Proposal expands sanctions for exploiting resources without Argentine authorisation and provides for prison sentences of up to 20 years.

MILITARY & DEFENCE

Milei earmarks about US$200 million for naval base in south

12-09-2026 21:55 Ushuaia facility is expected to be completed in 2029 and will be financed entirely with state funds; Milei government says long-planned facility will strengthen Argentina’s presence in far south, support operations towards Antarctica.

MILITARY & DEFENCE

Milei revives strategic naval base at ‘the end of the world’

12-09-2026 10:21 President revives plans for strategic Ushuaia base as Argentina hardens its stance on British oil exploration and Antarctica region attracts growing interest from Washington and Beijing.

RUGBY STAR'S KILLING

Far-right activists on trial in Paris over killing of rugby star Aramburú

07-09-2026 15:49 Two far-right activists stand trial in Paris over the 2022 killing of rugby star Federico Martín Aramburú.

MILEI'S MALVINAS SPEECH

UK asserts 'unshakeable commitment to Falklands' after Milei's speech

04-09-2026 10:42 "The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British," declares UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting.

MALVINAS SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE

Milei announces tougher Malvinas sanctions on firms, new naval base

03-09-2026 22:35 President announces he will toughen sanctions against companies operating in waters near Malvinas and the construction of a new naval base in Tierra del Fuego as he seeks to capitalise on Trump’s remarks over sovereignty.

MALVINAS SOVEREIGNTY CLAIM

Trump says US reviewing Washington's position on Malvinas Islands

31-08-2026 21:39 Donald Trump suggests Washington is reviewing its position on Malvinas; Comment tied to reports US is seeking increase in Britain's defence spending.

defence & military

Argentina’s Navy signs agreement with US to boost South Atlantic vigilance

20-05-2026 17:07 Letter of intent signed this month aims at developing local capacities to patrol and control maritime spaces with a focus on illegal fishing.

MILITARY & DEFENCE

Argentina to use revenue from privatisations to 'modernise' Armed Forces

04-05-2026 20:38 Ten percent of revenue from selling state assets and firms will be dedicated to "re-equipping and modernising the Armed Forces," announces government.

MILITARY & DEFENCE

Argentina’s Navy conducts military exercises with US aircraft carrier

28-04-2026 20:59 Argentina’s Navy has begun a series of military manoeuvres in the South Atlantic alongside forces from the United States.

Politics in Chile

Chile president picks Pinochet lawyers as ministers of human rights, defence

21-01-2026 11:24 Chile's right-wing president-elect names two ex-lawyers of former dictator Augusto Pinochet to lead the ministries of defence and human rights.

MILITARY & DEFENCE

Milei hails arrival of first F-16 fighter jets at Río Cuarto ceremony

07-12-2025 22:26 President presents F16 fighter jets bought from Denmark, proclaiming them the"guardian angels" of Argentina’s airspace.

DEFENCE

First batch of Argentina's F-16 fighter jets due to arrive from Denmark

03-12-2025 23:22 Fighter jets from US$300-million air defence deal with Denmark scheduled to enter national territory on Friday, December 5.

Politics

Government hails Army chief appointment, opposition voices criticism

23-11-2025 10:06 Milei, Caputo, Bullrich and Adorni welcome the arrival of Monteoliva and Presti – but Peronist leaders brands appointment of new Defence chief “enormous step backwards.”

POLITICS

Milei puts military back in charge of defence after 42 years of civilian rule

23-11-2025 09:57 President Javier Milei names Lieutenant General Carlos Presti, current head of the Army, as Argentina’s new defence minister; Opposition criticises move as "step backwards"; Since December 1983, when Raúl Alfonsín began his Presidency following the end of military dictatorship, all post-holders have been civilians.

MILITARY & DEFENCE

Crisis in Armed Forces as poor salaries lead to exodus

30-08-2025 07:58 Some 2,200 members of the Armed Forces have resigned this year. The Navy has been hardest hit, with some receiving monthly pay-cheques below 600,000 pesos.

POLITICS

Milei set to lose Bullrich and Petri after elections, reshuffle ahead

18-08-2025 12:42 Security and Defence ministers likely to leave Cabinet in December; Former Juntos por el Cambio presidential ticket now set to run for congressional posts representing La Libertad Avanza.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

US, Argentina deepen ‘strategic’ ties as top military officer visits

29-04-2025 15:12 Alvin Holsey, head of United States Southern Command, meets President Milei as three-day trip to Buenos Aires begins; Admiral will also visit base in Ushuaia.

Foreign policy & diplomacy

Milei to visit Spain, make second trip to Israel

04-03-2025 14:49 President Javier Milei will travel to Tel Aviv on March 23, according to the government; La Libertad Avanza leader hopes to meet PM Netanyahu and ink memorandum on security and defence collaboration.

by James Grainger

DEFENCE SPENDING

Milei, Macron agree outline of deal for French submarines, vessels

28-11-2024 22:05 During French leader’s recent visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s President Javier Milei worked out the details of a deal with his counterpart Emmnauel Macron that will see Argentina purchase new vessels for its Navy.

ICC RULING ON ISRAEL

Argentina says ICC warrants 'ignore' Israel's right to self-defence

21-11-2024 13:36 President Javier Milei’s government says International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister "ignores" the country's right to defend itself.

MALVINAS SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE

Government seeks culprit after paper referencing 'Falklands' slights out

23-10-2024 23:28 Malvinas mishap as Defence Ministry refers to the Malvinas Islands as "Falklands" in a statement, sparking criticism from within and outside the government and a promise to fire culprit allegedly "guided by left-wing ideology."