The organization of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) announced that the Argentine Air Force (FAA) has confirmed the participation of its Boeing 737-76N “Islas Malvinas” transport aircraft in the static display of this year’s show.
“Another star attraction for some aviation enthusiasts at RIAT 2023 will be the attendance of the Argentine Air Force! They will bring their Boeing 737-700 transport aircraft for static display, and we look forward to welcoming them back to the Air Tattoo.”, reports the official RIAT 2023 website.
Aircraft Announcements Incoming! RIAT will welcome aircraft from the Argentine Air Force, Romanian Air Force and Royal Navy!
For a look at all the amazing aircraft we have announced so far, follow the link here: https://t.co/DaaPem2eKi pic.twitter.com/baGuq29Sm7
— Royal International Air Tattoo (@airtattoo) May 25, 2023
The T-99 “Islas Malvinas” 737-700
The Boeing 737-76N, registration T-99 and christened “Islas Malvinas” joined the I Air Brigade, Transport Group I, in April 2021, and normally performs logistic transport flights of the Argentine Air Force or specific operations of LADE -State-owned airlines- (it is not part of the regular schedule in the routes of the latter, as do the Saab 340, the Fokker F28 or the Twin Otter).
It is also often contracted by other private companies for different services. It has 141 seats in single class and was delivered to its first operator, Ethiopian Airlines, in March 2004.
Smoothing out the rough edges ?
This is the first participation of a FAA aircraft in this emblematic British air show after the Falklands War, which could be interpreted as a gesture of rapprochement with London. But, curiously (or not), the aircraft that the FAA will send to the UK is the “Islas Malvinas”, which is quite a statement in itself.
It is also worth noting that the UK continues to maintain the blockade on exports of military equipment to Argentina, with which it was able to veto the eventual acquisition of the Korean F-50 advanced trainers, and would have been one of the causes why the Argentine Navy had to pass to retirement the five Super Étendard Modernisé (which uses Martin Baker ejector seats, of British origin) purchased in 2017, without ever flying them once.
Time will tell if the investment made by the FAA in deploying its B737 to the United Kingdom reaps any positive results for the future.
