Milei authorizes military alliance with the US to monitor the South Atlantic: American ships and jets arrive in Argentina for the first time since the Falklands War

Written by Douglas Avila

Published on 19/05/2026 at 18:02

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The Argentine president Javier Milei authorized in May 2026 a military alliance with the United States to monitor the South Atlantic, the first combined naval operation between the two countries since the Falklands War in 1982.

According to a report by El Cronista, the alliance allows US Navy ships to dock in Argentine ports.

Therefore, F-35 jets and P-8 Poseidon from the American Navy will begin joint operations with the Argentine Navy still in 2026.

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Admiral Daza of the Argentine Navy detailed the operation

The Chief of Staff of the Argentine Navy, Admiral Carlos Allende, detailed the operation in a press conference in Buenos Aires.

According to Allende, the mission called Operación Atlántico Sur Conjunto begins in October 2026.

Therefore, the Argentine Navy will mobilize 5 MEKO 140-class corvettes and 2 TR-1700-class submarines in the operations.

The United States will contribute with the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke, the helicopter carrier USS Wasp, and 2 nuclear submarines.

Additionally, the US Air Force will send 12 F-35 jets and 6 P-8 Poseidon maritime patrols to the Argentine Patagonia state.

Why the South Atlantic became a strategic focus for the US in 2026

The South Atlantic covers 50 million km² and concentrates maritime routes that handle 18% of global trade.

According to the US Naval War College, the Chinese presence in the region grew by 240% between 2020 and 2026.

Therefore, Chinese scientific research ships regularly operate in waters near the Falklands and Antarctica.

The Milei government claims that the alliance with the United States protects Argentine sovereignty in the maritime sector.

Map of the South Atlantic with Argentine bases and joint operations zone — South Atlantic: 50 million km² with bases in Mar del Plata, Rio Gallegos, and Comodoro Rivadavia. Image: Argentine Ministry of Defense.

Additionally, the alliance addresses surveillance against illegal fishing by international fleets in the Argentine EEZ.

According to the Argentine INIDEP, foreign fleets extract US$ 2.3 billion in fish annually from the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The United Kingdom reacted with an official note to the alliance

The United Kingdom issued an official note about the Argentina-US military alliance in May 2026.

According to the British Foreign Office, London considers the operation compatible with international treaties.

Therefore, the British government will allow operations around the Falklands as long as they respect the 200-mile exclusion zone.

Argentina has maintained a sovereignty claim over the Falklands since 1833.

Additionally, the United Kingdom has a military base in Mount Pleasant in the Falklands with 1,200 permanent military personnel since 1982.

How the USAF F-35s will operate from Comodoro Rivadavia

The base in Comodoro Rivadavia, in Argentine Patagonia, will receive the 12 F-35 jets from the US Air Force.

According to Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, each jet costs US$ 82.5 million and has a range of 2,220 km without refueling.

Therefore, the F-35s can cover the entire Argentine Atlantic coast and even the surroundings of the Falklands from the Patagonian base.

Comodoro Rivadavia: 12 F-35 from the USAF, 1,800 Argentine military personnel, airbase
Rio Gallegos: 6 P-8 Poseidon, maritime surveillance, air-naval base
Mar del Plata: USS Arleigh Burke, 2 nuclear submarines, naval base
Punta Indio: 5 Argentine MEKO 140 corvettes, Aeronaval training
Tierra del Fuego: joint Antarctic surveillance radar

According to the Pentagon, the total budget for joint operations amounts to US$ 1.2 billion between 2026 and 2030.

For comparison with other naval operations, see CPG coverage and the SpaceX orbital data center.

Brazil monitors changes in the South American military axis

The Brazilian government issued an official note through Itamaraty about the Argentina-US alliance.

According to the Brazilian Navy, the country will increase naval patrols in the South Atlantic by 35% by 2027.

Therefore, the Brazilian Blue Amazon Operation will receive an additional R$ 2.1 billion in budget.

Brazil maintains 11 corvettes, 3 submarines, and 1 helicopter carrier for surveillance of the 4.5 million km² of the national coast.

Brazilian Navy intensifies South Atlantic patrols by 35% by 2027. Photo: Brazilian Navy.

The Argentina-US military alliance confirms the strategic realignment of the Milei government with Washington.

However, according to the Institut Français des Relations Internationales (IFRI), the move could pressure Brazil and Chile to reposition regional doctrines.

Nevertheless, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Lula government seeks bilateral dialogue with Buenos Aires before the Mercosur Summit scheduled for July 2026.

Milei authorizes military alliance with the US to monitor the South Atlantic: American ships and jets arrive in Argentina for the first time since the Falklands War

Admiral Daza of the Argentine Navy detailed the operation

Why the South Atlantic became a strategic focus for the US in 2026

The United Kingdom reacted with an official note to the alliance

How the USAF F-35s will operate from Comodoro Rivadavia

Brazil monitors changes in the South American military axis

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Milei authorizes military alliance with the US to monitor the South Atlantic: American ships and jets arrive in Argentina for the first time since the Falklands War

Admiral Daza of the Argentine Navy detailed the operation

Why the South Atlantic became a strategic focus for the US in 2026

The United Kingdom reacted with an official note to the alliance

How the USAF F-35s will operate from Comodoro Rivadavia

Brazil monitors changes in the South American military axis

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