The Argentine Navy has showcased its newly acquired training vessel, the ARA Ciudad de Ensenada, for the first time during the combined exercise Acrux XI. This vessel is one of the two latest additions to the fleet, aimed at reinforcing the national flag. It was constructed at the RÃo Santiago Shipyard.
Argentina hosted the eleventh edition of joint training activities for river operations on the waters of the Paraná River. This event marked a significant milestone for the national naval force in terms of training.
The ARA Ciudad de Ensenada is now operational and is dedicated to training the new cohort of students at the Naval Military School. This participation in an international training exercise with regional navies is noteworthy, as it provides future officers with their first experience of working within a Fluvial Task Force.
During the Acrux XI exercise, the primary role of the ARA Ciudad de Ensenada was to simulate an enemy vessel. Trainees used blank ammunition for shooting practice, conducted anchoring maneuvers, engaged with smaller units, and learned onboard procedures under their instructors’ supervision.
Pablo Germán Basso, the Director of the Naval Military School, emphasized the historical significance of this event for the Navy, particularly for those tasked with training naval officers.
The successful execution of the exercise required close collaboration with the Tactical Divers team, which provided guidance to the novices aboard the vessel. Mauricio Adrián Sosa, commander of the Argentine Navy’s River Patrol Division and Combined Naval Action Task Group, explained that a key objective of Acrux XI was to simulate a multinational situation. This involved forming a combined naval force with five South Atlantic countries to address issues raised to the United Nations level.
The new vessel, the ARA Ciudad de Ensenada, measures 36 meters in length, 8 meters in width, and has a maximum draft of 2.2 meters. It can accommodate 34 cadets and a crew of six. Weighing approximately 260 tons, it is propelled by two 550 kW engines. Its fuel efficiency allows it to operate for 14 days at a speed of 10 knots without needing to refuel.
Pablo Germán Basso expressed optimism about having such naval units at the Naval Military School, stating that it would enhance training efficiency. The vessels will allow for summer and winter embarkations to be optimized, scheduled during the academic year without disrupting classes, and enable onboard instruction while docked.
Source: https://www.perfil.com/noticias/internacional/ejercicio-combinado-acrux-xi-la-armada-argentina-presento-a31-su-nueva-lancha-ara-ciudad-de-ensenada.phtml
