Armada Argentina begins preparations for Campaña Antártica de Verano (CAV) 2025-2026 with ARA Almirante Irízar

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In preparation for the forthcoming Summer Antarctic Campaign (CAV) 2025–2026, the Argentine Navy has begun its readiness programme with the departure of the icebreaker ARA Almirante Irízar (Q-5) from Buenos Aires Naval Station (Apostadero Naval Buenos Aires). The transit, expected to last around five days across the Argentine Sea, is intended to conduct the customary machinery trials-a critical phase used to assess shipboard system performance and the crew’s preparedness before the deployment to Antarctica.

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Five-day sailing to carry out machinery trials

During this period at sea, the Almirante Irízar will test propulsion, navigation and control systems, while the crew undertakes drills across a range of operational and emergency duties. These annual verification sailings are used to certify the icebreaker’s technical and operational condition after dockyard maintenance. The CAV 2025–2026 is currently scheduled to begin on 28 November, when the ship will sail south again to complete the logistics and scientific tasks that Argentina carries out on the white continent.

Demanding drills: evacuation, firefighting and the Crash-Stop

Past campaigns have shown how technically demanding these sailings can be. The Almirante Irízar typically performs high-level evolutions that have included machinery trials, abandon-ship exercises, firefighting simulations and the so-called Crash-Stop-a manoeuvre designed to measure the vessel’s ability to come to a complete halt from cruising speed. Training of this kind is essential to maintaining safe and efficient operations in the Antarctic environment, where ice, extreme weather and isolation create constant challenges.

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Sea King PAYD training with Argentine Naval Aviation

As part of the current readiness programme, the icebreaker will also conduct exercises with Sea King helicopters from Argentine Naval Aviation. These manoeuvres-known as PAYD (Landing and Take-off Practice)-also replicate the heliborne operations the Irízar carries out in support of Antarctic bases. The activity trains both pilots and deck personnel in approach and deployment procedures, strengthening coordination between air and naval assets.

Crew response and role adjustments at sea

Beyond their technical purpose, the machinery trials provide an opportunity to check role assignments and evaluate how personnel respond to different navigation scenarios. Ensuring the Irízar and its crew are fully prepared is an essential step before crossing into Antarctic waters, where every component on board-and every decision made by the ship’s company-can be decisive for the campaign’s success.

With this phase of readiness under way, the ARA Almirante Irízar is moving closer to another southern deployment. The start of CAV 2025–2026 will add a further chapter to the vessel’s long record as a cornerstone of Argentina’s Antarctic logistical support, reinforcing its status as a vital tool for sustaining scientific and operational activity on the planet’s southernmost continent.

Images used for illustrative purposes.