Armada Argentino: 2300AD

 

Infantería de Marina

 

Introduction

 

The Infantería de Marina (IM) is Argentina’s marine force and is internationally regarded as one of the world’s crack fighting forces. An integral part of the Armada, the IM has a number of roles including conventional, amphibious, arctic, security and special operations. There is also a small detachment on the world of Montaña. The IM are a highly trained and motivated professional force who will be at the forefront of any conflict with the British in the South Atlantic and also have a role in close littoral warfare against the Brazilians.  

 

Narrative

 

The Southern Ocean is not a place for half-baked plans and half measures at the best of times. In winter it an environment every bit as hostile as many alien worlds. The platoon of Argentine Marines huddled in the back of the bucking Bruja transport aircraft impressed me with their competence and they looked well equipped to operate in the frozen islands skirting Antarctica. I, on the other hand, was shivering uncontrollably already.

 

There were reports of intruders on one of the islands off the Antarctic Peninsular and the platoon was tasked to move from Esperanza to investigate. One of the officers asked me if I’d like to come along, as perhaps it would make a good story. I agreed, and now I was sat shivering in the hold alongside thirty heavily armed amphibious commandos in an ugly transport travelling mere metres above the waves below.

 

The loadmaster waved me up to the flight deck where she helped me into a spare flight helmet. One of the crewmen then showed me the tactical display. The fact we were flying directly towards a British naval squadron came as a major shock.

 

“They are on our way, so we will say hello!” If he seemed unconcerned, I certainly wasn’t! In spite of the warmth of the flight deck I suddenly became very cold again. Minutes later we passed a kilometre south of the British ships, their blood-red hulls starkly visible even through the squalling snow. A businesslike combat drone, white ensign discrete on its body close to recessed missiles, flew in formation with us.

 

Our visit to the neighbours completed we flew on to our target, an uninhabited but disputed island. We quickly located a newly established base camp, its vehicles and heavy equipment showing up on radar and thermal displays. The pilot took the Bruja low over the camp, close enough to see the Union Flag snapping above brightly coloured tents and shelters. Shortly after he had the plane on the ground and the marines deployed from the rear ramp.

 

A delegation came from the camp to meet us – scientists from the British Antarctic Survey and a Royal Marines officer discretely at the rear of the party. It was all very polite, both sides states their claims under various Treaty clauses and agreed to disagree. It would spark another round of high-level recriminations but unless the Argentines wanted to use force there was no way to evict the British. There had been times when these meeting weren’t so polite and blood spilled on the pristine snow.

 

Today the blood of the Argentine and British marines wouldn’t be shed, but the tension was evident behind the diplomatic niceties.        

 

Southern Comfort? Antarctica and Power Politics

Le Temps International, August 2296

John R. Young  

 

Index

 

Order of Battle

Units

Organisation

Recruitment

Training

Culture

Uniform and Equipment

Personalities

Role Playing
Glossary

 

Order of Battle

 

1ta Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Rio Plato’

 

Comando de la Fuerza No.1

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.3

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.6

Batallón de Aero Tanques No.1

Batallón de Aero Tanques No.4

Batallón de Artillería de Campaña No.1

Batallón Comando y Apoyo Logístico No.1

Batallón Antiaéreo No.1

Batallón de Comunicaciones y Información No.1

Compañía de Ingenieros No.1   

Agrupación de Comandos Anfibios No.1

Destacamento Naval Buenos Aires

 

2da Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Flote del Mar’

 

Comando de la Fuerza No.2

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.1

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.2

Batallón de Aero Tanques No.2

Batallón de Artillería de Campaña No.2

Batallón Comando y Apoyo Logístico No.2

Batallón Antiaéreo No.2

Batallón de Comunicaciones y Información No.2

Compañía de Ingenieros No.2

Agrupación de Comandos Anfibios No.2

Destacamento Buzos Tacticos No.2 (Armada)

 

3er Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Austral’

 

Comando de la Fuerza No.3

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.4

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.5

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.7

Batallón de Aero Tanques No.5

Batallón de Artillería de Campaña No.3

Batallón Comando y Apoyo Logístico No.3

Batallón Antiaéreo No.3

Batallón de Comunicaciones y Información No.3

Compañía de Ingenieros No.3

Agrupación de Comandos Anfibios No.3

Destacamento Buzos Tacticos No.3 (Armada)

Destacamento Naval Río Gallegos
Destacamento Naval Río Grande

Destacamento Naval Austral

 

Fuerza de Infantería de Marina de Reserva

 

Comando de la Fuerza de Reserva  

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.8

Batallón de Infantería de Marina No.9

Batallón de Aero Tanques No.3

Batallón de Artillería de Campaña No.4

Batallón Comando y Apoyo Logístico No.4

Batallón Antiaéreo No.4

Batallón de Comunicaciones y Información No.4

Compañía de Ingenieros No.4   

Agrupación de Comandos Anfibios No.4

 

Attached Fuerza de Comandos

 

Batallón de Comandos Anfibios No.1

 

Agrupación de Armada de Montaña  

 

Destacamento Naval Montaña  

 

INDEX

Units

 

1ta Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Rio Plato’

 

1 FIM is a brigade sized force based in the northern outskirts of Buenos Aires on the shore of the Rio de la Plato. The force is the IM’s high intensity warfare force with littoral combat as its speciality. The force is equipped with modern HAFVs and is designed to operate on the ocean flank of the Ejército, specifically in countering the operations of Brazilian marine Littoral Warfare Groups. It can also operate very effectively as a conventional hovermobile brigade alongside the Ejército in conventional operations.

 

1 FIM exercises almost daily on the Rio Plato, however unlike its Brazilian counterparts the force is almost entirely shore based and operates without integral amphibious assault shipping. The force has an excellent combat record as it has played a leading role in the Argentine efforts in all three Rio Plato Wars. The force provided the last rearguard before Buenos Aires in the 1st Rio Plato was before being overwhelmed by the Brazilians gave a fine account of itself. It gained a full measure of revenge in the 2nd and 3rd Rio Plato Wars and the force is regarded with respect by the Brazilians.  

 

2da Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Flote del Mar’

 

2 FIM is the Armada’s amphibious ready force which has a dual role in potential operations against British South Atlantic territories and the Brazilian littoral or ocean lines of communication with Africa. The South Atlantic is no place to rely solely on long range hovermobile operations so the force includes a mixture of light infantry and mechanised elements. It is located at the Base de Infantería de Marina Baterías at Puerto Belgrano.

 

2 FIM works hand in glove with the Armada’s Escuadrilla Anfibia and its attached WIG assault craft and tilt-rotor transports. The 2 FIM works on the assumption that the Armada will probably not have ocean superiority for long and practices both rapid raiding and unsupported operations on remote islands. The 2 FIM sees itself as an elite even within the IM and levels of physical fitness and close combat training are very high.

 

The 2 FIM saw limited action against the British in the South Atlantic Crisis, seizing some outlying islands before being withdrawn. It became involved in main force actions in both the 1st and 2nd Rio Plato Wars but was held in reserve during the 3rd Rio Plato war in response to British and Brazilian movements in the South Atlantic. 

 

3er Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Austral’

 

The 3 FIM is based in the very south of Argentina at Río Gallegos and Río Grande with elements in the Argentine Antarctic territories and is responsible for the defence of these areas. As a result the force is much less of an integrated combat force than 1 or 2 FIM. There is always one infantry battalion deployed in Antarctica and BAT 5 is located at Esperanza at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsular.

 

The whole of the force is Antarctic trained and has specially modified equipment and techniques to operate in this harsh area. In times of emergency the balance of the force can be quickly flown in to marry up with pre-positioned equipment stores. The force is trained to operate with vehicles or on foot and versatility is a key characteristic. The 3 FIM comes in to frequent contact with their British neighbours and exchanges of fire, and casualties, are not uncommon. Most marines and officers of the IM will serve with the 3 FIM at some stage in their careers.    

 

Fuerza de Infantería de Marina de Reserva

 

The FIMR is the IM’s force of active reservists. It is not organised as a fighting formation but rather to supply reinforcements to 1 FIM, although BIM 9 is fully arctic trained and tasked to support 3 FIM. The marines assigned to FIMR undergo frequent training and are regarded as being very capable and needing little workup training. However their relatively small numbers mean the IM does not have the same depth of reserves as the Ejército.

 

Attached Fuerza de Comandos

 

The Ba Cdo Anf is the IM’s contribution to the strategic special forces of the Fuerza de Comandos. It is drawn from the cream of the IM most of who have already served with an Ag Cdo Anf before joining the Ba Cdo Anf. As a force it specialises in amphibious and antarctic operations and is often confused with the Buzos Tacticos.  

 

Agrupación de Armada de Montaña  

 

The Ag Arm Mont is the small naval force deployed on the colony world of Montaña. The IM has a company sized detachment here which is responsible for the defence of shore facilities and providing embarked detachments.

INDEX

 

Organisation

 

Comando de Infantería de Marina

 

The Infantería de Marina is an administrative part of the Armada, and holds a similar position to the other arms of the navy such as aviation and submarines. The CIM is responsible for the recruitment, training, doctrine and administration of the IM from its base at Puerto Belgrano. Operationally elements of the IM are assigned to the tactical control of other forces. In the case of 1 FIM it works closely with the VIIta Cuerpo de Ejército, 2 FIM the Armada’s Escuadrilla Anfibia and 3 FIM the Armada’s Comando Antártico. FIMR is always under the command of the CIM, although sub-units can be assigned to the active FIMs.

 

1ta Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Rio Plato’

 

1 FIM has many organisational similarities with an Ejército Brigada Aero-Blindada however it has extra resources due to its independent role. 1 FIM is a ‘square’ formation with four combat units, two BAT and two BIM, which are combined arms task forces. The whole FIM is both hovermobile and armoured. It has substantial anti-aircraft assets in addition to field artillery and a strong logistic element. It also has a company of commandos in the reconnaissance role.   

 

2da Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Flote del Mar’

 

2 FIM is designed to operate from amphibious assault shipping. It has a single combined arms battlegroup in BAT2 and two light role infantry battalions which can be moved by air or sea and have their own light ACVs. However conditions in the South Atlantic are such that these light ACVs are used only for operations on-land and have only limited over sea capability. Like the 1 FIM, 2 FIM has a greater than normal array of support elements. It also has a team of Buzos Tacticos combat divers as well as amphibious commandos.   

 

3er Fuerza de Infantería de Marina ‘Austral’

 

3 FIM is fairly similar to 2 FIM in having one combined arms battalions and three light infantry battalions. The 3 FIM infantry are versatile and capable of deployment by land, sea or air. It also has control over the security detachments for the southern Armada ports.

 

Batallón de Infantería de Marina Nos.1, 2, 4, 5, 7 & 9

 

These BIMs are light infantry forces attached to 2 FIM, 3 FIM and FIMR. They are versatile light infantry forces capable of being sent into action on amphibious assault craft, tilt-rotors, in light ACVs or on foot. The BIMs are relatively conventionally organised with 3 infantry combat companies and a command company. The infantry companies have three rifle platoons, a support weapons platoon and a combat walker platoon. The aim is for them to be integrated and self-supporting combat elements. These units are air assault, but not parachute capable.  

 

Batallón de Infantería de Marina Nos.3, 6 & 8

 

These BIMs are all-arms combat groups built around the AVBI-89 and ATAB-2 HAFVs. The BIM have three combat company and a command and support company. Two of the combat companies are infantry heavy and one tank heavy. The infantry heavy companies have three rifle platoons each with 4 AVBI-89s, a tank platoon with 4 ATAB-2s and a support weapons platoon with two mortar and two anti-tank AVBI-89 variants. The tank-heavy platoon has three tank platoons, an infantry platoon and a support weapons platoon. 

 

Batallón de Aero Tanques Nos.1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

 

The BATs all share a common organisation, and are all-arms combat units similar to BIMs 3, 6 & 8. The BATs have two tank heavy companies, one infantry heavy companies and a command and support company as described above.  

 

INDEX

 

Recruitment

 

The IM recruits entirely from volunteers and is the last all-volunteer force in the Argentine Fuerzas Armadas. Prior to conscription young Argentines can indicate that they wish to serve in the IM rather than the other armed forces. The IM is always substantially oversubscribed and even a fairly stringent administrative pre-selection always produces too many candidates. Consequently the available places are filled by a competitive selection procedure run at BIM Baterías at Puerto Belgrano. Those who have just completed conscripted service in other forces can volunteer to join the IM. They are run through the same selection procedure.

 

Selection at BIM Baterías is tough and aimed at producing physically fit candidates of above average intelligence. Indeed many observers draw comparisons with the selection run by the British Royal Marines and find there are many similarities. If the candidate successfully completes selection they will be enrolled into the IM, if not they will be given their second choice of service as a conscript. Many go on to join the IVta División Paracaidista and eventually re-attempt selection.

 

Initial service in the IM is on a three year contract. This is extendable in additional three year contracts which can take the marine up to 30 years of service. Potential officers are selected from the ranks and are dispatched to the Escula Naval Militar for further training.

 

Each member of the IM has a reserve commitment for 3 years after leaving the active force in the FIMR. FIMR members train for at least one month a year and retain a useable set of military skills. There is a further commitment of up to six years in the general reserve which may be called up in time of war.

 

INDEX

 

Training

 

Basic training in the IM is conducted primarily at BIM Baterías and is a challenging 8 months in length. The marine then spends another 3 months obtaining specialist skills depending on the FIM which they are to be deployed to; either armoured, amphibious or Antarctic. They will then spend at least a year with one of the BIM’s before being able to transfer to one of the other units. This means that IM support and logistics soldiers all have a firm grounding of infantry skills.

 

Much of the training undertaken by non infantry soldiers is run in conjunction with the Ejército. This exposure to the Ejército allows the IM to make best use of training resources, but it also results in the IM being seen as somewhat arrogant by their Ejército colleagues.

 

As the IM is a long service professional force many of its members are able to gain considerable and wide ranging training across a range of disciplines. Training is constant in the IM and marines are constantly encouraged to attend a range of courses and many have a clutch of somewhat obscure qualifications which frequently prove useful. Cross training with the Mexican marines is commonplace, especially for units of 1& 2 FIM. Jungle training in Mexico is a great break from the cold and wet of the South Atlantic for most of the marines.

 

The IM is very well regarded for the quality of its Antarctic training which is run in Tierra del Fuego and the Antarctic Peninsular. They run a series of graded courses for marines, NCOs and officers. The common thread in these is the strenuous physical nature of the course as well as the survival skills that must be acquired.

 

The IM contributes its Comandos Anfibios to the Fuerza de Comandos. Potential members of the Cdo Anf and the Armada’s Buzos Tacticos are put through a single selection process and there is much commonality of training.

 

INDEX

 

Culture

 

The IM is robustly and unrepentantly an elitist force. It sees itself as the best Argentina has to offer and is not backwards about letting the other parts of the Argentine military know it. While there is a strong streak of machismo in the IM this is tempered with utter egalitarianism; there is no room for time servers and the incompetent in the IM. Indeed the internal competition in its ranks is fierce and unrelenting.

 

As the IM is a long service volunteer force it is able to deploy a great number of experienced marines even in junior positions. This means the tactical quality of its small unit operations is very high, indeed they are regarded with utmost respect by Brazilian and British units who have crossed swords with them in the past.

 

The quality of the NCO and Officer leadership in the IM is also notably high. NCO and officer training is open only to those who have proved themselves in the ranks and is very strenuous. The IM would rather a junior officer position be filled by a competent NCO than an officer who doesn’t have the ‘right stuff’.

 

This general quality and high standards has however led to a situation where thinking ‘outside the box’ is relatively rare. Questioning of doctrine and IM training tends to frowned upon and several prominent critics from the officer corps have had their careers cut short. The accent is very much on evolution rather than revolution within the IM, thankfully not much is wrong at the moment.  

 

INDEX

 

Ranks

 

The IM uses the Armada’s naval rank structure. They are divided in to enlisted and commissioned ranks:

 

Enlisted ranks

 

Rank

Typical Position

Equivalent British Army Rank

Marinero 2do

Rifleman

Private

Marinero 1do

Rifleman

Private

Cabo Segundo

 

Rifleman

Lance Corporal 

Cabo Primero

 

Equipo commander

Corporal

Cabo Principal  

Grupo commander

Sergeant 

Suboficial Segundo

Platoon Sergeant

Staff Sergeant 

Suboficial Primero

Supply Sergeant

Staff Sergeant 

Suboficial Principal

Company Sergeant Major

Warrant Officer Class 2

Suboficial Mayor

Regimental Sergeant Major

Warrant Officer Class 1

 

Commissioned ranks

 

Rank

Typical Position

Equivalent British Army Rank

Guardiamarina

Officer under training

Officer Cadet

Teniente de Corbeta

Rifle platoon Commander

2nd Lieutenant

Teniente de Fragata

Rifle Platoon Commander

Lieutenant  

Teniente de Navío

Company 2 i/c

Captain

Capitán de Corbeta

Company Commander

Major

Capitán de Fragata

Battalion Commander

Lieutenant Colonel

Capitán de Navío

Staff officer

Colonel

Contraalmirante

FIM Commander

Brigadier

Vicealmirante

IM Commander

Major General

  

INDEX

Uniform and Equipment

 

The IM utilises standard Argentine Ejército equipment and weapons by and large. In particular it uses all the standard infantry equipment except for operations on Antarctica where conventional firearms are used due to problems with battery life on gauss and laser weapons in the extreme cold.

 

The IM uses standard Ejército vehicles modified to its unique littoral requirements. In particular the hover vehicles like the ATAB-2 and AVBI-89 have been modified with increased fuel tankage, water proofing and emergency flotation equipment. The IM has no integral air vehicles as its requirements are dealt with by the Armada’s CANA air arm.

 

Combat uniforms are based on those of the Ejército and include ballistic fatigues and inertial combat vests with in built load bearing elements and an emergency flotation bladder. For Antarctic and amphibious operations the IM has a special combat suit which combines cold weather gear with immersion equipment. The IM has access to the new Sistema del Combate de Infantería de Marina Mk.7. SCIM-7 is a state of the art dismounted combat system which is significantly more advanced than that used in the Ejército.

 

Dress uniforms for the IM are based on those of the navy to which the IM belongs. However these have been modified over the years to give the IM its own distinctive appearance.  

 

INDEX

 

Personalities

 

Vicealmirante Eduard Duarte

 

Eduard Duarte is the current commander of the Comando de Infantería de Marina. Duarte is a working class boy from the rough end of Rosario. A tough, intelligent boy he volunteered for the IM rather than serve in the Ejército. He was quickly picked out from the ranks for commissioning, and as a junior officer he commanded an armoured platoon of the 1 FIM in the 3rd Rio Plato War, racking up a significant number of kills. His progress up the ranks was steady and assured, as a commander Duarte was literally head and shoulders above his peers.

 

He commanded the 3 FIM at the height of the ‘Cold War’ against the British on Antarctica in the 90s, notably outmanoeuvring his opponent on several occasions. He has also served on the joint staff and has now returned to command the IM. Duarte is the stand-out commander of his generation and holds a position of immense moral authority. Very few of his colleagues and no politician is willing to challenge his position openly. He is married with three grown up children, all of who have followed him into the IM.  

 

Capitán de Corbeta Maria Harrison      

 

Maria Harrison is a company commander in BAT5. Harrison is from a long established and wealthy Anglo-Argentine family from Buenos Aries. Her decision to join the IM was one of several acts of rebellion against her parents. Tall, athletic and aggressive Harrison has made her way in the macho environment of the IM by being harder and more competent than most of the men she has come to command. She currently commands an Antarctic specialised armour company in the Antarctic Peninsular and is an accomplished tank officer. She has sacrificed her personal life and several budding relationships for her career, a decision she regrets not at all. 

 

Cabo Segundo Lino Páez

 

Lino Páez is a twenty five year old grupo commander in BIM1, a unit of 2 FIM. He is from Puerto Belgrano on the Atlantic seaboard. His original attempt to join the IM failed and he served as a conscript with the Div Parac IV and on completing his term he tried again for the IM and succeeded. He has now served two years and made his mark as a competent, confident soldier. He has just married his childhood sweetheart and has a child on the way.

 

INDEX  

 

Role Playing

 

Background Skills

 

To join the IM the character must be an Argentine and have an Endurance of 12. Argentine marines are enlisted after completing tertiary education. They chose their background skills from the normal Core Skills list but will have between 2 and 4 extra points to spend on Academic Skills and will start their career at the age of 20, 21 or 22. Those who join after service in other services must pass a turning point.  

 

Career Skills

 

Initial Skills: Combat Rifleman - 4, Heavy Weapons - 1, Melee - 2, Hover Vehicle - 1, Survival - 1, Tactics - 1 and First Aid-1 (Ground Vehicle - 1, Swim - 1 if not chosen as Background Skills)

Specialist Skills: If in specific units the following skill levels apply rather than those above. 1 FIM Heavy Weapons – 2 and Hover Vehicle – 2. If in 2 or 3 FIM Survival – 2 and Melee – 3.
Primary Skills:
Combat Skills, Ground Vehicle, Hover Vehicle, Stealth, General Skills (except Prospecting).
Related Skills: Bureaucracy.

INDEX

 

Glossary

 

Abbreviation

Full

Meaning

IM

Infantería de Marina

Argentine Marine Corps

FIM

Fuerza de Infantería de Marina

Marine Force. A brigade sized Marine formation.

CFIM

Comando de la Fuerza

Marine Force Command. Marine brigade HQ

CIM

Commando de Infantería de Marina

Marine Command. Administrative HQ of the IM

BIM

Batallón de Infantería de Marina

Marine Infantry Battalion

BAT

Batallón de Aero Tanques

Marine hover-armoured Battalion

BAC

Batallón de Artillería de Campaña

Marine Field Artillery Battalion

BCAL

Batallón Comando y Apoyo Logístico

Marine Command and Logistic Support Battalion

BA

Batallón Antiaéreo

Marine Anti-aircraft Battalion

BCI

Batallón de Comunicaciones y Información

Marine Communication and Information Battalion

Ca Ing Anf

Compañía de Ingenieros Anfibios

Marine Engineer Company

Ag Cdo Anf

Agrupación de Comandos Anfibios

Marine Commando Group. Company sized reconnaissance and raiding force.

DN

Destacamento Naval

Naval Detachment. Marine security company assigned to a specific naval base.

 

Buzos Tacticos

Tactical Divers. Navy combat divers, akin to US SEALs or British SBS

FCdo

Fuerza de Comandos

Commando Force. Argentine special forces command drawn from all services

B Cdo Anf

Batallón de Comandos Anfibios

Marine Commando Battalion. Elite special forces unit of the IM

Esc Anf

Escuadrilla Anfibia

Amphibious Squadron. Argentine navy amphibious assault squadron 

ARA

Armada Argentina

Argentine Navy

Ej Arg

Ejército Argentino

Argentine Army

FAA

Fuerza Aérea Argentina

Argentine Air Force

FEA

Fuerza Espacio Argentina

Argentine Space Force

INDEX


6 May 2004

Copyright, 2004 D Hebditch