Q&A · 48:47-50:22

Why Pucará torpedo attacks would fail

Equipping Argentine Pucarás with surface-attack torpedoes would impose a slow, exposed attack profile against modern naval defenses.

Question

How would the Falklands War change if Argentina armed Pucarás with torpedoes?

Short answer

It would probably not help Argentina; the slow and obvious attack profile would make the aircraft exceptionally vulnerable.

Notes

The answer questions whether Argentina had suitable air-dropped torpedoes in its inventory. Most contemporary aerial torpedoes served anti-submarine warfare, so an attack on surface ships would require older weapons and a different release technique. Crews would need training in that unfamiliar attack profile, which would make their intentions obvious to the defending ships. The Pucará's limited speed and conspicuous approach would leave little margin for escaping British air defences. The objection concerns the aircraft, weapon, and attack method, with no suggestion that Argentine pilots lacked courage or skill.