ARA Piedrabuena (P-52) explained

ARA Piedrabuena (P-52) is the second ship of Argentinian Gowind-class offshore patrol vessel of the Argentinian Navy.

Development and design

See main article: Gowind-class design. After repeated negotiations and break-offs, in February 2018 the Argentine Navy was instructed to restart negotiations with Naval Group for the procurement of four Gowind-class vessels. The decision was motivated by the meeting between Argentine President Mauricio Macri and French President Emmanuel Macron at the annual World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland. An order for four vessels was expected in July 2018.[1] In November 2018, Argentina confirmed the purchase of four Gowind-class vessels. The purchase includes the already-built, which in 2016 visited the region on a marketing trip, and three new vessels.[2]

Construction and career

Piedrabuena was laid down in 2019 and launched on 1 October 2020 by DCNS in Lorient. The vessel began sea trials in March 2021.[3] It was formally delivered to the Argentine Navy in April 2021.[4]

In May 2024, Piedrabuena, in conjunction with her sister ships and, the destroyers and, as well as the corvettes and, was tasked to participate in joint exercises with the US Navy's carrier task group. The exercises were the first to take place between the two navies in several years.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Higuera. Jose. 2 February 2018. Argentina restarts talks with Naval Group for Gowind OPVs. dead. https://archive.today/20180205224559/http://www.janes.com/article/77575/argentina-restarts-talks-with-naval-group-for-gowind-opvs. 5 February 2018. 5 February 2018. IHS Jane's 360. Santiago.
  2. Web site: 30 November 2018. Argentina confirms the purchase of four French OPVs. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20181203152345/https://www.janes.com/article/84948/argentina-confirms-the-purchase-of-four-french-opvs. 3 December 2018. 3 December 2018. IHS Jane's 360.
  3. Web site: Premières images à la mer de l'OPV argentin Piedrabuena . Mer et Marine . Groizeleau . Vincent . French . 4 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . subscription . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210304044348/https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/premieres-images-la-mer-de-lopv-argentin-piedrabuena . 2021-03-04 .
  4. Web site: Argentina receives A.R.A. Piedrabuena from Naval Group.
  5. Web site: La Armada Argentina inicia sus actividades para el Ejercicio Gringo – Gaucho II . Pucará Defensa . 26 May 2024 . 26 May 2024 . Riva . Santiago.