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 (Follow-On) [Argentina]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![The new generation of defence companies emerging from the US UAV boom]()
The new generation of defence companies emerging from the US UAV boom
As the Pentagon accelerates procurement of low-cost, lethal UAVs through its Drone Dominance Program, emerging suppliers will need to demonstrate manufacturing capacity, supply chain resilience and reliability.
-
![US Coast Guard faces key procurement decisions after C-130J and MQ-9B orders]()
US Coast Guard faces key procurement decisions after C-130J and MQ-9B orders
The service is updating several parts of its aviation fleet including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and procuring uncrewed aircraft to boost its maritime surveillance.
-
![AUSA 2026: New multiwarhead loitering munition enters increasingly competitive market]()
AUSA 2026: New multiwarhead loitering munition enters increasingly competitive market
Heaviside Industries has unveiled its new Tyr loitering munition at AUSA 2026 in Washington, DC, joining a growing field of manufacturers seeking to capitalise on billions of dollars in anticipated military spending.
-
![Middle Eastern demand opens fresh export prospects for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet]()
Middle Eastern demand opens fresh export prospects for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet
A proposed Saudi Arabian purchase of 48 stealth fighters could signal a broader regional opportunity for the F-35 as European programmes mature.
-
![US military plans multi-UAV trials with Northrop Grumman quantum-navigated Lumberjack]()
US military plans multi-UAV trials with Northrop Grumman quantum-navigated Lumberjack
An undisclosed US military branch is preparing to evaluate multiple Lumberjack Group 3 drones equipped with SandboxAQ’s AQNav magnetic-navigation system. Shephard spoke with Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ to find out more.
