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The Argentine Army launched a new tender today aimed at buying a fresh batch of surveillance and reconnaissance drones. These unmanned aircraft are lightweight VTOL systems, and the purchase is intended to bolster and expand the ability of various sub-units to operate unmanned aerial systems fitted with electro-optical sensors.
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Under the title "Acquisition of multi-sensor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance, observation and reconnaissance capabilities", the Argentine Army is seeking to add almost thirty of these systems, which must be equipped with thermal cameras.
Lightweight multi-sensor drones
The Technical Specifications published in the tender documents indicate that the required drones must be capable of carrying a multi-sensor payload.
Sensor payload requirements
This electro-optical package must include a wide-angle camera in the visible spectrum, a camera with optical zoom (and/or hybrid zoom), a thermal imaging camera, and an integrated laser rangefinder with a reach of more than 1 km.
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Flight and data-link performance
The requested performance is typical for light-category unmanned aircraft: a maximum take-off weight of 2.5 kilograms; endurance above 40 minutes; the ability to transmit data and telemetry to a minimum distance of 10 kilometres; and a maximum horizontal speed exceeding 70 km/h.
What the procurement includes
The Argentine Army’s purchase covers the drones themselves, their respective control systems and data-transmission equipment, plus accessories such as spotlights and loudspeakers, along with hardware for video capture and external transmission.
Expanding UAV capability
With this new acquisition, the Argentine Army aims to grow its very short-range UAV surveillance and reconnaissance capability-equipment that, due to its performance and characteristics, will be used at lower tactical echelons.
At the same time, the Army continues to push ahead with other initiatives involving unmanned platforms, which were presented a few weeks ago at the General Directorate of Arsenals. These included commercial drones for observation and surveillance, as well as the development of local projects focused on FPV attack systems.
Experience in Ukraine and the Middle East has shown that drones of all types should not be treated as exceptional equipment-quite the opposite. They are increasingly basic kit, both for reconnaissance elements and for operations that involve combat tasks against personnel, armoured vehicles, electronic warfare, resupply, data relays, PSYOPS, among others.
Cover image for illustrative purposes
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