Domestic industry to step up for IA-63 production
Components for the IA-63 Pampa aircraft will be developed domestically in Argentina, under an MoU between aerospace industry body Camara Argentina Aeronautica y Espacial (CArAE) and aircraft manufacturer Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA).
‘Due to the obsolescence of some components of the original design of the aircraft over time, FAdeA has decided to develop its replacements through national suppliers,’ the company noted on 21 August .
FAdeA president Mirta Iriondo said ‘this initiative to nationalise IA-63 Pampa components began in 2014, when only 3% of the aircraft's parts were local; currently this is 13% and the proposed goal for 2023 is to bring them to 16%’.
CArAE members include technology companies dedicated to the manufacture of mechanical, electrical and electronic products, parts and systems for aircraft.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina) requires 40 IA-63 Pampa aircraft. The first six were delivered under two separate contracts, the last of which was valued at $30.3 million for three aircraft, reflecting an average unit cost of $10 million.
The remaining 34 aircraft are expected to be procured in several batches as budged allows. 18 of these new purchases will be IA-63 Pampa III trainers, while the other 16 platforms are planned to be light attack variant.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
IA-63 Pampa III - Argentina Follow-On
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
-
![DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions]()
DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions
The partnership will integrate Helsing’s AI-powered systems with the Systematic SitaWare suite of C4ISR currently used by more than 50 nations, enabling faster data exchange between ISR UAVs and Helsing’s HX-2 loitering munitions.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine]()
DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine
The programme will work to build and deploy the drones to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia, coming a day after Poland shot down 19 Russian drones in its airspace.
-
![DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue]()
DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue
The addition of Red Cat’s Black Widow to NATO’s NSPA catalogue opens the doors for allied forces to more easily procure the AI-enabled drone.
