During the Falklands War, in 1982, Argentina found itself virtually isolated from the Western world in terms of military supply. The United States, United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and the European Economic Community imposed a strict arms embargo after the recovery of the islands. In that context, Israel emerged as one of the main suppliers of military equipment for the military government of Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri.
The Jewish State, together with Peru, Venezuela, Libya, Ecuador, and Brazil, offered key assistance that allowed the Argentine Armed Forces to remain in combat against a military power like the United Kingdom. Only from Jerusalem did supplies worth more than 87 million dollars at the time arrive.
Direct operations, triangulations, and regional complicity
The first shipments included spare parts, mines, turbines for Dagger aircraft, military overcoats, and encryption equipment. However, as the conflict progressed, Israel had to modify its strategy to avoid diplomatic reprisals. Mossad recommended triangulating deliveries through Peru, whose government provided blank purchase orders and falsified end-user certificates to cover up the operations.
The shipments departed from Tel Aviv to Lima, and from there were forwarded to Argentina on Aerolíneas Argentinas flights. Between May 10 and May 30, 1982, five flights were carried out with Shafrir missiles, 1,700-liter (449-gallon) auxiliary fuel tanks, and other vital materials for the Argentine fighter-bombers.
Technology, encoders, and undercover agents on the islands
One of the most sensitive aspects was the security of communications. Upon discovering that the U.S.-made encoders had been compromised by the CIA and Germany, Argentina once again turned to Israel. Three Sec-23 devices were obtained and installed by Israeli engineers, even in Puerto Argentino, where they arrived disguised as journalists.
