Argentina

Republic of Argentina

Part of the region that is today the Argentine Republic (República Argentina) was incorporated into the Incan Empire in 1480, but the southern tribes successfully resisted Incan incursion. When the Spanish began colonizing South America and established the Viceroyalty of Peru, a permanent settlement was established at the present day site of Buenos Aires and most of the present Argentine territory designated the Governorate of the Río de la Plata. Between 1810 and 1818 a War of Independence was fought between royalists and patriotic forces who sought independence from the Spanish crown. Full independence was declared in July of 1816, although Argentine forces would continue to battle with the Spanish in support of other regional independence movements for the next eight years.

Argentina fought the War of the Triple Alliance (alongside Brazil and Uruguay) against Paraguay from 1864 to 1870, ending with the resounding defeat of Paraguay (which is believed to have lost over 300,000 dead). The nation has long laid claim to the Malvinas (Falkland Islands), and under a military regime invaded the small territory in 1982, sparking a British response and the Falklands War. Following its defeat, free elections were held in 1983 and the military regime was toppled.

The Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic (Fuerzas Armadas de la República Argentina) fall under the control of two primary departments: the Ministry of Defence (Army, Air Force and Navy) and the Ministry of the Interior (Gendarmerie and Naval Prefecture or coast guard). Today's Argentine forces are fully committed to peacekeeping roles with the United Nations.

Argentine Camouflage Patterns

• An early camouflage pattern worn by some Argentine forces was based on the US m1942 spot pattern of the Second World War. Very little is known about the pattern, although it seems to have been composed of four colors: black, brown & light brown spots on tan background. As camouflage uniforms were not widespread among Argentine forces until the 1990s, it is presumed the pattern only saw scattered use among selected units.

• The camouflage design seen here, based on the shapes found in ubiquitous duck hunter camouflage designs, was issued specifically to small amphibious commando units as well as the NCO school of the Infantería de Marina.

• Camouflage uniforms were the province of elite units during the 1980s, and by the time of the Malvinas War (Falklands War) only 601 & 602 Commando Coys were issued them. The pattern of this era is a kind of mottled woodland design with several variations, and seems to have been locally-produced. Introduced in the 1980s, it was worn by various units as late as the mid-1990s.

• Also issued to Army Commando units during the Malvinas War, but not produced in Argentina, were the jigsaw pattern camouflage rain gear made by the Salik firm of Belgium.

• In conjunction with the Graffa textile company, the CITEFA (Armed Forces Development Center) began work on a new camouflage pattern for issue to Argentine Army forces, based on the British DPM pattern. The resulting mimetizado selva (jungle pattern) was deemed effective, particularly in the mountainous northeastern region of Argentina, but proved too expensive to produce locally in the quantities needed. Nevertheless, small quantities of uniforms in this pattern were produced and distributed to Argentine mountain units.

• Beginning in the early 1990s, a more affordable imported camouflage pattern was issued to some units of the Argentine Armed Forces, the Chinese woodland design. This pattern saw use with Commando, Airborne and elite infantry units such as the Cazadores.

• Copies of the true m81 woodland camouflage pattern began appearing during the mid-1990s, and have continued in use today, replacing the standard olive green combat uniform that was issued during the 1970s and 1980s. Uniforms have been produred from a variety of sources, including China, France, and the USA (including surplus BDUs), and several different patterns have been documented.

• Developed specifically for use in the Patagonia (southern Argentina) and the Cordillerana regions of Argentina, the Camuflaje Patagonico (also called "Pampa" pattern) is a arid variation of the British DPM pattern having medium brown, golden brown & beige disruptive shapes on a sandy background.

• The US-developed six-color "chocolate chip" desert pattern has been worn occasionally by Argentine forces, specifically by the Air Force Tactical Support Squadron, Army 601 and 602 Commando Companies, and the National Police GOE (Grupo de Operaciones Especiales).

• Also worn by some Argentine units is the US tricolor desert camouflage pattern. This has been documented in use by the 601 Air Assault Regiment, the Prefectura (Coast Guard) special operations unit (Albatros), and Air Force Red de Observadores del Aire (ROA).

• A locally-produced urban camouflage design (possibly based on DPM) has been worn by the Buenos Aires Police Anti-riot Unit & GEOF special operations team of the National Gendarmerie.

• Also in use with the Buenos Aires Police Anti-riot Unit & GEOF special operations team of the National Police is commercially-produced tiger stripe pattern camouflage.

• The Tactical Support Squadron of the Argentine Air Force have also tested the US Universal Camouflage Pattern, although it does not appear to have been chosen. However, a locally-produced variant is worn by the GE-1, or Infantry Special Group of the National Police.

• Recently, the National Police GOE began wearing a locally-produced design similar to the USMC MARPAT. The pattern is known colloquially as selva digital (jungle digital).

• The standard USMC MARPAT design is now worn by the Grupos Operaciones Especiales (GOE) of the Air Force.

• A much later production of the "urban" DPM camouflage pattern of the Gendarmería Nacional Argentina can be seen here. The current version incorporates traditional DPM shapes in black, dark blue, and mid-grey on a light grey background.