Navy of the Argentine Republic | |
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Armada de la República Argentina | |
Shield, the red Phrygian cap symbolizing pursuit of liberty.
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Active | May 25, 1810 |
Country | Argentina |
Branch | Navy |
Size | 18,555 |
Part of | Ministry of Defense |
Main Base | Puerto Belgrano Naval Base |
Motto(s) | Go under rather than surrender the flag |
Colors | Light blue and white |
March | Navy March |
Anniversaries | May 17 (Navy Day) |
Equipment |
Ships Aircraft Infantry weapons |
Engagements |
Argentine War of Independence Cisplatine War Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata Paraguayan War Revolución Libertadora Falklands War Gulf War Operation Uphold Democracy |
Website | http://www.armada.mil.ar/ |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-chief | President Mauricio Macri |
Chief of General Staff | Vice-Admiral Marcelo Eduardo Hipólito Srur |
Deputy Chief of General Staff | Vice-Admiral Horacio Nadale |
Commander of the Fleet of Sea | Rear-Admiral Rafael Gerardo Prieto |
Commander Submarine Force | Ship-of-the-line captain Carlos Acuña |
Commandant of the Marine Corps | Rear-Admiral Bernardo Noziglia |
Commander of Naval Aviation | Rear-Admiral Gustavo Vignale |
Insignia | |
Naval Jack | |
Naval Ensign |
The Navy of the Argentine Republic or Argentine Navy (Spanish: Armada de la República Argentina — ARA, also Armada Argentina) is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force. Each ship of the Argentine Navy is designated with the prefix "ARA" before its name.
The Argentine Navy day is celebrated on May 17, anniversary of the victory achieved in 1814 in the Battle of Montevideo over the Spanish fleet during the war of Independence.
The Argentine Navy was created in the aftermath of the May Revolution of May 25, 1810, which started the war for independence from Spain. The navy was first created to support Manuel Belgrano in the Paraguay campaign, but it was sunk by ships from Montevideo, and did not take part in that conflict. Renewed conflicts with Montevideo led to the creation of a second fleet, which participated in the capture of the city. As Buenos Aires had little maritime history, most men in the navy were from other nations, such as the Irish-born admiral William Brown, who directed the operation. As the cost of maintaining a navy was too high, most of the Argentine naval forces were composed of privateers.
Brown led the Argentine navy in further naval conflicts at the War with Brazil and the Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata.