Country Argentina Role Amphibious Warfare Part of Argentine Navy | Type Marines Size 5.500 | |
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Active 1 January 1939 - present Engagements Falklands War, Beagle conflict Similar Argentine Navy, 5th Naval Infantry Battalion, Argentine Naval Aviation, Armed Forces of the Argen, Argentine Army | ||
The Naval Infantry Command (Spanish: Comando de la Infantería de Marina, abbreviated COIM), also known as the Naval Infantry of the Navy of the Argentine Republic (Spanish: Infantería de Marina de la Armada de la República Argentina, abbreviated IMARA) and generally referred to in English as the Argentine marines are the amphibious warfare branch of the Argentine Navy and one of its four operational commands.
Contents
- History
- Battles and interventions
- Present
- Current deployments
- Structure
- Fleet Marine Force FAIF
- Southern Marine Force FAIA
- River Operations Unit
- Marine Security Forces
- Equipment
- References
The Argentine marines trace their origins to the Spanish Naval Infantry, which took part in conflicts in South America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Argentine marines took part in various conflicts of the nineteenth and twentieth century, notably the War of the Triple Alliance and the Falklands War. The marines (represented by 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 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.
Battles and interventions
Present
IMARA routinely train in joint exercises with similar units of Brazil, Chile and the United States.
Current deployments
IMARA has two Infantry Companies deployed in Haiti and Cyprus under the auspices of MINUSTAH and UNFICYP respectively in joint operations with the Argentine Army and Argentine Air Force. A small platoon was also deployed in Serbia/UN ProvinceKosovo (NATO KFOR mandate), attached to Argentine Engineers Company, which was in turn attached to the Italian Brigade.
Several Marine Officers and NCO's are routinely deployed as military observers for the UN.
Structure
Argentine Marines have the same rank insignia and titles as the rest of the Navy.
Fleet Marine Force (FAIF)
The FMF was formerly called the Brigada de IM No. 1 ( English: 1st Marine Brigade )
Southern Marine Force (FAIA)
The SMF was formerly called the Fuerza de M No. 1. (English: 1st Marine Force)
River Operations Unit
Marine Security Forces
Equipment
List of all equipment of the IMARA.