Argentina and the United States will conduct military exercises in Patagonia

In a historic event for bilateral relations between Argentina and the United States, both nations signed a memorandum of understanding on March 13 to carry out an ambitious cooperation program in the field of Special Operations Forces (SOF).

This agreement, the result of three days of intense discussions between the military leaders of both countries, initiates a process that will allow Argentine troops to train directly alongside their American counterparts, expanding the capabilities of both nations in the field of special and high-risk operations.

The signing of this agreement took place between Colonel Néstor Oprandi, Joint Commander of Special Operations of the Armed Forces of Argentina, and Captain Nikolaos Sidiropoulos, Director of Strategy and Special Operations Plans of the United States Southern Command.

This signing occurred within the framework of the SOF Talks, a series of bilateral meetings held between March 10 and 13, whose main objective was to identify new cooperation opportunities in both operational and elite forces training areas of both countries.

A strategic alliance

The Joint Special Operations Forces Command, created in 2018 by a resolution of the Argentine Ministry of Defense, will be the body responsible for coordinating this new phase of cooperation.

This command, currently led by Brigadier General Xavier Isaac and Brigadier General Cristian Pafundi, is a relatively young structure that has been consolidating capabilities and resources to face increasingly complex challenges in the field of special operations.

In the next two weeks, Rear Admiral Mark Shafer, Commander of Special Operations of the United States Southern Command, is expected to arrive in the country to formally sign the memorandum with General Pafundi, thus marking the beginning of even closer cooperation.

The collaboration between this command and the Argentine forces aims to improve interoperability and the capability of both countries to face common threats in the Americas.

Strengthening capabilities

On the operational level, Argentina has been taking firm steps toward the modernization of its Armed Forces, with a special emphasis on incorporating state-of-the-art equipment.

One of the most significant milestones in this regard is the arrival of the F-16B supersonic fighter, updated to NATO standard, under the Government of Javier Milei. This advancement not only positions the Argentine Armed Forces at the forefront of aerial technology but also represents a paradigm shift in special forces tactics.

The exercises

One of the most significant exercises planned is called "Atlantic Dagger," projected for February 2026.

Although it is still in the planning phase, this exercise is already generating great anticipation, as it is expected to involve the execution of simultaneous operations in highly demanding scenarios.

The purpose of "Atlantic Dagger" is for the special forces of both countries to train and evaluate their capabilities jointly, improving interoperability and strengthening combat skills in different tactical situations.

Among the skills to be trained are insertion and extraction techniques of units through the "helo casting" method (helicopter insertion), medical evacuation by helicopter (medevac), maritime interdiction operations using special operations fast boats, and rapid descent techniques from helicopters using the "fast rope" method.

These procedures are essential for special forces, which must be able to operate in extreme conditions and carry out missions in any type of terrain, from jungles and mountains to insular areas.

The scenarios where the exercise will take place include locations such as Tierra del Fuego, Santa Cruz, and Islas de los Estados, regions known for their extreme weather and terrain conditions, ideal for testing the troops' capabilities in challenging environments.

These exercises will follow the same logic as the training of U.S. special forces in Alaska, in cold and rugged territories, and will be a key opportunity for Argentina to prepare to face challenges in the Strait of Magellan, Drake Passage, and the projection toward Antarctica.