Argentina Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 50th
MPR SCORE: 631
MPR Index: 0.2585 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.464 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +0.7027 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Argentina ranks 50th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR), reflecting its position as a regionally significant but globally limited military force in South America. After decades of underfunding and stagnation following the 1982 Falklands War, Argentina’s military has entered a slow and uneven modernization phase. While it maintains a relatively large army and strategic territorial responsibilities—particularly in the South Atlantic and Antarctica—its force structure remains constrained by budgetary limitations, outdated equipment, and limited regional influence.
Strengths: Strategic Location and Large Ground Force
Argentina’s military is shaped by geography, history, and national defense priorities:
Geopolitical Reach
Argentina maintains a strategic presence in the South Atlantic, including sovereignty claims over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and key patrol duties near the Antarctic Treaty zone.
It maintains permanent bases in Tierra del Fuego and Antarctic territories, giving it long-term polar relevance in regional geopolitics.
Large Army with Homeland Focus
The Argentine Army remains the largest branch, with approximately 70,000 active personnel and reserve forces trained primarily for territorial defense, border security, and peacekeeping deployments.
It retains artillery, armored vehicles, and helicopter units, although many are of older vintage.
Naval and Antarctic Capability
The Argentine Navy operates submarines, destroyers, and amphibious transport vessels, though most are dated and often non-operational.
The navy’s continued focus on Antarctic supply, hydrography, and patrol missions ensures a unique strategic presence in polar regions.
Why Argentina Ranks 50th in 2025
Despite its geographical advantages and standing army, Argentina’s military remains limited in warfighting effectiveness due to key structural and capability issues:
1. Aging Equipment and Operational Gaps
Air force assets—once among the strongest in Latin America—are now dominated by decades-old A-4AR Skyhawks with no modern multirole fighter in service.
Submarines and key naval assets are often non-deployable, with years of service gaps in operational readiness.
Logistics, C4ISR systems, and air defense networks remain minimal and outdated by modern standards.
2. Lack of Strategic Deterrence and Force Projection
Argentina has no missile force, no nuclear capability, and no long-range strike options.
It cannot project power beyond its borders and relies on geography and diplomacy for regional security.
The military’s ability to mobilize or sustain conflict against a peer-level adversary is negligible.
3. Economic Constraints and Civil-Military Disengagement
Years of economic crises have left the defense sector underfunded, with inconsistent procurement and delayed modernization efforts.
Civilian governments have deprioritized military readiness in favor of social spending, weakening doctrine development and long-term planning.
Inter-service coordination and readiness exercises remain rare, limiting cohesion and joint capabilities.
Conclusion
Argentina’s military remains relevant within South America, largely due to its geographical footprint, large army, and unique South Atlantic responsibilities. However, in terms of real warfighting capability, Argentina ranks 50th in the 2025 MPR due to its antiquated equipment, weak deterrent posture, and inability to execute decisive or sustained combat operations.
Its military is optimized for territorial defense, peacekeeping, and patrol operations, not for high-intensity conflict or expeditionary warfare.
Military Strength and Force Projection:
Active Military Personnel: 80,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 50,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 70,000 (Gendarmerie and Coast Guard)
Army Personnel: 50,000
Navy Personnel: 20,000
Air Force Personnel: 10,000
Ground Forces:
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 400+ (TAM)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 1,000+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 400+
Air Force:
Combat Aircraft: 50+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 40+
Transport Aircraft: 30+
Aircraft Breakdown:
A-4AR Fightinghawk: 12
IA-63 Pampa III: 30
C-130 Hercules: 6 (transport)
Naval Forces:
Submarines: 2 (Salta-class)
Frigates: 3 (Almirante Brown-class)
Corvettes: 6 (Espora-class)
Patrol Vessels: 25+
Fast Attack Craft: 10+
Missile Capabilities:
Argentina does not have strategic missile capabilities but focuses on anti-ship and air defense systems to protect its maritime and airspace boundaries. Its defense relies on a modest missile stock for short-range defense rather than any major offensive capability.
Strategic Partnerships:
Argentina maintains defense partnerships with countries like the United States and European allies, but also cooperates with regional partners in Latin America on joint exercises and security matters. It continues to seek modernization programs, with an eye on bolstering its defense infrastructure and military capabilities.
Argentina – Military History & Combat Experience
Argentina’s military history is defined by its involvement in the Falklands War, its internal military dictatorship era, and a long-standing decline in conventional readiness. While Argentina was once among the most powerful militaries in Latin America, it has not fought a major external war since 1982 and now operates largely in a defensive and peacekeeping posture. Its combat legacy remains shaped by both historical strength and post-conflict decline.
Falklands War (1982): Argentina launched an amphibious invasion of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), claiming sovereignty over the British-held territory. Although its forces succeeded in occupying the islands early in the conflict, British forces retook them after a 10-week war. Argentina's performance highlighted both tactical bravery and systemic weaknesses — including poor logistics, outdated equipment, and limited naval-air coordination — which ultimately led to defeat.
Military Dictatorship and Internal Repression (1976–1983): During Argentina's "Dirty War," the military engaged in internal repression against political opponents and civilians. While not conventional warfare, this era shaped the army's doctrine around internal control and counter-subversion, at the cost of institutional credibility and international legitimacy.
Border Security and Patrol Operations: Argentina has not engaged in war with neighboring countries in the modern era, but maintains regular deployments along its borders, particularly in the sparsely populated south and in support of sovereignty over Antarctic and sub-Antarctic claims.
Peacekeeping Missions: In the post-Falklands era, Argentina has participated in various UN peacekeeping operations, including missions in Haiti, Cyprus, and the Middle East, offering multinational exposure but without sustained combat operations.
Argentina’s military has not fought a conventional war in over four decades and remains limited by defense budget constraints, outdated platforms, and political restrictions. However, its Falklands experience remains a key part of its institutional memory, and its military retains a tradition of professionalism, territorial focus, and naval ambition despite reduced warfighting capacity.
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~46.2 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~18.9 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 2,780,400 km² (8th largest globally)
Land Boundaries: 9,665 km
Bordering Countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Coastline: 4,989 km (South Atlantic Ocean)
Climate: Mostly temperate; arid in the southeast; subantarctic in the southwest
Terrain: Fertile plains (Pampas), deserts, mountains (Andes), and extensive Patagonian steppes
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, uranium, lithium, copper, iron, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: ~2.4 billion barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~13.5 trillion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$3.3 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~0.8%
GDP (PPP): ~$1.15 trillion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$24,800
External Debt: ~$415 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Declining as a percentage of GDP; limited modernization efforts amid economic constraints
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Suspended; volunteer force with basic training and reserve program
Primary Defense Focus: Sovereignty over southern air and maritime space, Antarctic claims, internal stability, and border security
Military Industry Base: Moderate; led by Fabricaciones Militares, INVAP (aerospace/radar), and Tandanor (naval shipbuilding)
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing; expanding under Joint Command of the Armed Forces
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state); peaceful nuclear program under NPT
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into Joint Command, Army, Navy, and Air Force regions; includes southern command for Patagonia and Antarctica
Missile Inventory Highlights: Aspide SAMs, TAM tank guns, air-to-ground munitions (mostly aging inventory), limited guided missile stocks
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Available but minimally activated; mobilization within 60–90 days
Reservist Force Size: ~80,000–100,000 (includes partially trained and inactive personnel)
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Advanced; CONAE operates SAOCOM and ARSAT satellite series
Military Satellite Inventory: Dual-use reconnaissance and communications satellites; strong domestic capability via INVAP
Intelligence Infrastructure: Intelligence Secretariat (AFI), military intelligence branches under Joint General Staff
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Brazil, Chile, U.S. (limited), European Union security dialogues
Airports (Total): ~1,300 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: El Palomar, Córdoba, Río Gallegos, Tandil
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~70 vessels
Major Ports: Buenos Aires, Bahía Blanca, Rosario, Ushuaia
Naval Infrastructure: Aging surface fleet with MEKO frigates, submarines (mostly inactive), and OPVs; strategic presence in Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica
Naval Replenishment Capability: Moderate; focused on South Atlantic and logistical support for polar missions
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~18,000 km
Roadways: ~240,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~520,000 barrels per day
Energy Imports: Net exporter of oil and natural gas; significant shale reserves in Vaca Muerta
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Estimated ~45–60 days of national consumption
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Moderate; includes small arms, light vehicles, radar, missiles, and shipbuilding; strong civilian nuclear sector
Military Installations (Domestic): Dozens across all provinces, including Patagonia and Antarctic support bases
Military Installations (Overseas): None; major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None permanent; joint exercises with Brazil, Chile, and U.S.
Defense Alliances: South American Defense Council, UN peacekeeping, limited NATO outreach
Strategic Airlift Capability: Operates C-130 Hercules, KC-130s; limited heavy lift beyond regional coverage
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate; strong industrial base in peacetime industries with conversion potential
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Strong in space, radar, and nuclear; weak in combat systems and weapons modernization
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: YPF (energy), Ferrocarriles Argentinos (rail), INVAP (aerospace), Tandanor (naval), FAdeA (aircraft manufacturing)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Buenos Aires
Founding Date: July 9, 1816 (declaration of independence)
System of Government: Federal presidential constitutional republic
