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Marine Corps / Infantería de Marina

The Marine Corps Command, based at Puerto Belgrano, has subordinate multipurpose forces that were recently reorganized and that are in process of modernization.

The Marine Corps either has incorporated individual equipment and ordnance to operate in any type of environment, or is close to doing so. It is provided with short and medium range anti-tank material and the support material (guns) required for artillery fire support, particularly suited to amphibious and coast operations. In addition to its communications equipment it is incorporating resources that meet C3 I2 requirements. It also has the ground displacement resources required for amphibious operations.

The Marine Corps Command is formed by:

• The Surface Fleet Marine Corps Force, based at Baterías. It carries out amphibious tasks and is integrated by:
  • The Marine Corps Battalion No. 2.
  • The Command and Logistical Support Battalion
  • The Amphibious Vehicle Battalion
  • The Campaign Artillery Battalion No. 1
  • The Air Defense Battalion
  • The Group of Amphibious Commandos
• The Southern Marine Corps Force, based at the cities of Río Gallegos and Río Grande, which operates in cold areas and on the particular terrain of that region. Its function is to contribute to sea control. It is formed by:
  • The Marine Corps Battalion No. 4
  • The Marine Corps Battalion No. 5
  • The Río Gallegos Naval Detachment
  • The Río Grande Naval Detachment
• Marine Corps Battalion No. 3 is based at Zárate, to perform fluvial and coast operations.
• The Baterías Marine Corps Base, which provides logistical support to the Fleet Marine Corps Force and to the Marine Corps Battalion No. 3.

Shortly after World War II the Argentine marine corps was upgraded from a shore patrol and given amphibious assault responsibilities. In 1968 its official name became the Marine Infantry Corps. By 1983 its size was estimated at some 10,000 men. Most of its personnel were stationed at or near the bases and other installations controlled by the Argentine Navy.

In addition to six marine security companies deployed at naval bases throughout the nation, the marine corps personnel were organized into two brigades (sometimes referred to as forces) composed of two or more infantry battalions. There was also a separate amphibious support force that included an amphibious vehicles battalion, a signals battalion, and an antiaircraft regiment. The marine infantry battalion deployed at Rio Grande was specially equipped and trained for cold weather warfare, including service in Antarctica.

Among equipment in service with the marines during the mid-1980s were some 30 armored personnel carriers, of which a dozen were the French-built Panhard ERC-90 Lynx model and another six, the Swiss MOWAG Roland. Also counted in its arsenal were several dozen 105mm howitzers, variously sized mortars and recoilless rifles, and some 20 Bantam antitank guided weapons. In addition to 20mm to 35mm antiaircraft guns, the marine corps was reported to have an unspecified number of Blowpipe and at least seven Tigercat surface-to-air missiles.