Yesterday, during the visit of the argentinian president Alberto Fernández to the facilities of the Instituto de Investigaciones Aplicadas (INVAP) in San Carlos de Bariloche an agreement was signed for the acquisition of 5 RPA-200 long-range 3D radars.
As reported in the press release issued by the Presidency, the agreement is valued at 9.2 billion pesos (about 102 millions dollars at the official exchange rate) will be paid through the National Defense Fund (FONDEF for its initials in spanish).
The units will be destined to the cities of Río Grande in Tierra del Fuego, Posadas in Misiones and Resistencia, Charata and Taco Pozo in the province of Chaco. They will be incorporated into the National Aerospace Surveillance and Control System (Sinvica), replacing old radars that are difficult to maintain and add to the long-range 3D RPA-240T radars, purchased from INVAP during the first section of the national radarization project.
Radar RPA 200
The Argentinian Primary Radar 200 (RPA-200) is a new generation device that has a coverage radius of 400 kilometers. It was developed from the RPA-170 medium-range radar, which is a tactical air defense system that operates in the L / D band, with an instrument range of 300 km.
Compared to the previous model, the RPA-200 gains in performance, as it is a more modern development, but it is 20% cheaper to manufacture. This is due to the high degree of nationalization, «since 80% of its manufacture is carried out with Argentinian inputs and labor».
Long-term impact of the agreement
The reactivation of the development of radars at INVAP will impact the work of 150 small and medium-sized companies, directly and indirectly involved in the production chain.
It is a three-year plan which in addition to the manufacture of the radars includes the installation of its associated civil structure, simulators, computerized control systems for operations, training and maintenance.
Likewise, it will promote the development of strategic national technology for Defense and Security by advancing in projects of multifunction radars, search and surveillance airborne, air and surface. Last year the Ministry of Defense had already allocated another 535 million pesos in different contracts with INVAP.
This year, the portfolio through the National Defense Fund (FONDEF) will allocate 2.7 billion pesos to strengthen air and maritime surveillance systems.
