Argentine Marines

Argentine Navy Infantry
Argentine Navy Infantry
Infantería de Marina de la Armada de la República Argentina
Active	1807-present
Country	Amphibious Warfare
Size	5,500
Part of	Argentine Navy
Motto(s)	PATRIAE SEMPER VIGILES; (Always vigilant for the Fatherland)
March	Marcha de la Infantería de Marina; (Marine march)
Anniversaries	19 November 1879
Website	argentina.gob.ar/imara
Commanders
Current	Rear. Adm. Pedro Eugenio Galardi

The Naval Infantry Command (

amphibious warfare branch of the Argentine Navy

and one of its four operational commands.

The Argentine marines trace their origins to the

5th Naval Infantry Battalion) are considered to have been among the best Argentine combat units present in the Falklands. The most recent war in which Argentine naval infantry took part was the Gulf War

of 1990.

Today^[when?] Argentine naval infantry are frequently deployed on UN peace-keeping missions.

History

The Marines trace their origins in

Spanish Naval Infantry, at the time of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. After the Argentine War of Independence, it was under joint administration of the Argentine Army and the Argentine Navy

. A 1946 law placed the marines solely under the jurisdiction of the Navy.

List of conflicts involving Argentina Marines

occupation of the Falkland Islands

1982.

Operation Rosario

, 1982.

Spanish rule

Independence

Argentine War of Independence.

Argentine Confederation

Argentine Republic

Present

IMARA routinely train in joint exercises with similar units of Brazil, Chile and the United States.^[2] However, as of 2021 component battalions were reported to be at about 60 percent of their authorized strength levels due to lack of personnel and resources.^[3]

Current deployments

IMARA had two companies as part of the Argentinian battalions in Cyprus (UNFICYP, 1992 to 2003) and Haiti (MINUSTAH, 2004 to 2015). The former remains as a platoon-size unit as a consequence of the missions downsizing, and the latter finished its tour in 2015. A small platoon was also deployed in Serbia/UN Province Kosovo (NATO KFOR mandate), attached to Argentine Engineers Company, which was in turn attached to the Italian Brigade.

A few marines officers are routinely deployed as military observers for the

UN

.

Structure

Argentine Marines have the same rank insignia and titles as the rest of the Argentine Navy, and are trained in the same institutions for officers and NCOs. Until the 21st century the Marine Corps Basic School provided post-graduate officer and basic enlisted training.

Fleet Marine Force (FAIF)

The FMF was formerly called the Brigada de IM No. 1 ( English: 1st Marine Brigade )

2nd Marine Corps Battalion
1st Amphibious Vehicles Battalion
Amphibious Engineers Battalion
Command and Logistical Support Battalion
1st Communications Battalion
1st Field Artillery Battalion
Anti-aircraft artillery
Battalion
Amphibious Commandos Group (APCA)

Southern Marine Force (FAIA)

The SMF was formerly called the Fuerza de M No. 1. (English: 1st Marine Force)

4th Marine Corps Battalion
5th Marine Corps Battalion
Naval Detachment Río Grande

River Operations Unit

3rd Marine Corps Battalion

Marine Security Forces

Navy General Staff Security Battalion
Puerto Belgrano Naval Base
Security Battalion
15 Security Companies assigned to naval bases, Naval Air Stations, and Marine bases

Ranks

Officers

Rank group	General / flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet
Argentine Marines v t e
Argentine Marines v t e			Almirante IM		Vicealmirante IM		Contralmirante IM				Capitán de Navío IM		Capitán de Fragata IM		Capitán de Corbeta IM		Teniente de Navío IM		Teniente de Fragata IM			Teniente de Corbeta IM			Guardiamarina IM

Enlisted

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Argentine Marines v t e
Argentine Marines v t e	Suboficial mayor						Suboficial principal		Suboficial primero		Suboficial segundo						Cabo principal IM						Cabo primero IM				Cabo segundo IM		Infantería de Marina primero						Infantería de Marina segundo

Equipment

Marines from Argentina line up in formation alongside U.S. Marines during the largest amphibious assault exercise in Latin America, UNITAS 45-04
LVTP7
of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA), locally known as VAO (Vehiculo Anfibio a Orugas)
Panhard ERC 90
of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA).
LARC-5 of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA), locally known as VAR (Vehículo Anfibio a Ruedas); behind it, a Humvee
.