Through the publication of Decree 697/2025, the national government authorized the entry of U.S. Navy Special Operations Forces into the country in order to participate, alongside personnel and assets of the Argentine Navy, in Exercise Tridente. The activity will take place at various locations and naval bases across the country between October 20 and November 15.
It should be noted that the mention of the arrival of U.S. Navy Special Operations Forces to Argentine territory specifically refers to the presence of Navy SEAL personnel—one of the most respected and feared U.S. military units worldwide.
This has great significance for enhancing the preparedness of the Argentine Navy’s special operations community, while also fostering cooperation and interoperability between both naval forces.
According to the aforementioned decree, the purpose of Exercise Tridente is the “… implementation of exchanges, component integration, and training, which constitute a key tool for strengthening the current capabilities of the Naval Special Forces.”
To that end, Exercise Tridente will take place at the Naval Bases of Mar del Plata, Ushuaia, and Puerto Belgrano, involving Argentine Navy Special Naval Forces personnel, the Amphibious Commandos Group (APCA), and the Tactical Divers Group (APBT), who will train together with the Navy SEALs. The deployment of up to 30 SEAL personnel is expected.
It should also be noted that various assets from the Argentine Fleet and the Naval Aviation Command will be involved during the exercise, namely: the offshore patrol vessel ARA Bouchard with its crew, the fast-attack craft ARA Indómita or ARA Baradero—still to be defined and subject to change—complemented by a Sea King helicopter from the 2nd Naval Helicopter Squadron.
Cover photo used for illustrative purposes.
