The Naval Infantry Command (Spanish: Comando de la Infantería de Marina, 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, 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.
| Argentine Navy Infantry | |
|---|---|
| Infantería de Marina de la Armada de la República Argentina | |
| Active | 1807–present |
| Country |  Argentina |
| Branch | Argentine Navy |
| Type | Marines |
| Role | Amphibious Warfare |
| Size | 5,500 |
| Part of |  Argentine Navy |
| Motto(s) | PATRIAE SEMPER VIGILES (Always vigilant for the Fatherland) |
| March | Marcha de la Infantería de Marina (Marine march) |
| Anniversaries | 19 November 1879 |
| Website | argentina.gob.ar/imara |
| Commanders | |
| Current | Rear. Adm. Pedro Eugenio Galardi[1] |
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.
Nowadays 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.
List of conflicts involving Argentina Marines
- Spanish rule
- Independence
- Argentine Confederation
- Argentine Republic
Present
IMARA routinely train in joint exercises with similar units of Brazil, Chile and the United States.[2] However, as of 2021 component battalions were reported to be at about 60 percent of their authorized strength levels due to lack of personnel and resources.[3]
Current deployments
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IMARA had two companies as part of the Argentinian battalions in Cyprus (UNFICYP, 1992 to 2003) and Haiti (MINUSTAH, 2004 to 2015). The former remains as a platoon-size unit as a consequence of the missions downsizing, and the latter finished its tour in 2015. A small platoon was also deployed in Serbia/UN Province Kosovo (NATO KFOR mandate), attached to Argentine Engineers Company, which was in turn attached to the Italian Brigade.
A few marines officers are routinely deployed as military observers for the UN.
Structure
Argentine Marines have the same rank insignia and titles as the rest of the Argentine Navy, and are trained in the same institutions for officers and NCOs. Until the 21st century the Marine Corps Basic School provided post-graduate officer and basic enlisted training.
Fleet Marine Force (FAIF)
The FMF was formerly called the Brigada de IM No. 1 ( English: 1st Marine Brigade )
- 2nd Marine Corps Battalion
- 1st Amphibious Vehicles Battalion
- Amphibious Engineers Battalion
- Command and Logistical Support Battalion
- 1st Communications Battalion
- 1st Field Artillery Battalion
- Anti-aircraft artillery Battalion
- Amphibious Commandos Group (APCA)
Southern Marine Force (FAIA)
The SMF was formerly called the Fuerza de M No. 1. (English: 1st Marine Force)
- 4th Marine Corps Battalion
- 5th Marine Corps Battalion
- Naval Detachment Río Grande
River Operations Unit
- 3rd Marine Corps Battalion
Marine Security Forces
- Navy General Staff Security Battalion
- Puerto Belgrano Naval Base Security Battalion
- 15 Security Companies assigned to naval bases, Naval Air Stations, and Marine bases
Ranks
- Officers
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentine Marines |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||||||||||||||
| Almirante IM | Vicealmirante IM | Contralmirante IM | Capitán de navío IM | Capitán de fragata IM | Capitán de corbeta IM | Teniente de navío IM | Teniente de fragata IM | Teniente de corbeta IM | Guardiamarina IM | |||||||||||||||
- Enlisted
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentine Marines |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suboficial mayor | Suboficial principal | Suboficial primero | Suboficial segundo | Cabo principal IM | Cabo primero IM | Cabo segundo IM | Infantería de Marina primero | Infantería de Marina segundo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equipment
Marines from Argentina line up in formation alongside U.S. Marines during the largest amphibious assault exercise in Latin America, UNITAS 45-04
LVTP7 of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA), locally known as VAO (Vehiculo Anfibio a Orugas)
Panhard ERC 90 of the Argentine Marine Infantry (IMARA).
See also
References
External links
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