Argentine Air Force receives sixth IA-63 Pampa III

The Argentine defence ministry has announced that the Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA, Argentine Air Force) has received its sixth IA-63 Pampa III advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft.

The aircraft – serial A-705 (c/n 1033) – was delivered to the II Escuadrón (2nd Squadron), part of VI Brigada Aérea (6th Air Brigade), at Tandil air base in Buenos Aires on March 27.

Argentine Pampa III [FAdeA] #1
FAdeA

The Pampa III was produced domestically by the Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA, Argentine Aircraft Factory) and joins five examples already operational in providing advanced pilot training and light attack capabilities. The air arm accepted its first IA-63 Pampa III in November 2018, after a first flight in September that year. Although Argentina plans to acquire 18 examples, contracts have only been placed for the first six.

The Pampa III fleet is one of the few modern aircraft remaining in the FAA’s inventory and are primarily used in the nation’s North Shield operation, which protects its northeast border.