Members of the Argentine and U.S. Armed Forces reinforced interoperability and joint tactics during Operation Trident, a three-week exercise in the South Atlantic. From October 25 and November 14, 2025, Argentina’s Tactical Divers Group (APBT) and U.S. Navy SEALs shared expertise and trained in operational maneuvers aimed at strengthening the protection of maritime spaces, the Argentine Navy said in a press release.
“Exercise Trident allows for the sharing of experience accumulated by the United States Naval Special Forces in combined operations, both in combat and humanitarian assistance contexts, constituting an invaluable resource for enhancing our national capabilities,” the Argentine government stated in Decree 607/2025, which authorized the entry of U.S. forces into the South American country.
Security experts emphasized the strategic importance of the joint activity. “This exercise is highly beneficial to Argentina, but also to the participating partners and allies,” Juan Belikow, professor of International Relations at the University of Buenos Aires, told Diálogo. “The South Atlantic is a very challenging and unique natural setting, an environment in which Argentina has extensive experience.”
Special forces
The combined training took place at various locations within the Mar del Plata Naval Base, including its firing range, APBT facilities, the Submarine School, and aboard ships belonging to the Maritime Patrol Division. There, Argentine military personnel trained alongside the iconic Navy SEALs, who are part of the U.S. Navy’s Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command.
The joint activities “enabled increased cooperation toward effective interoperability between forces, as well as increased defense capabilities in areas of national jurisdiction and strategic interest to the country,” the Argentine government said. This partnership is part of a broader cooperation effort; the news site Defensa reported that 60 Argentine Marines participated in the recent UNITAS LXVI exercises held in the United States.
Mutual learning
Special forces members practiced techniques including boarding maneuvers, movement within ships, and recovery procedures. “The final phase of the exercise was carried out aboard a naval unit acting as a merchant ship, where all the concepts developed during the planning stage were integrated,” the Argentine Navy said.
According to Belikow, combined military exercises such as Trident “are essential” for several reasons. These include analyzing and improving the interoperability of the participating forces, generating mutual learning, and assessing the limits of their own capabilities and identifying opportunities for joint and combined tasks.
“Operation Trident also contributes to the knowledge and stress testing of new doctrines, technologies, strategies, and tactics in operational exercises; the validation of training and readiness programs for the forces involved; and the optimization of military diplomacy,” Belikow added.
This growing partnership follows two visits in 2025 by U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, then commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). In April, Adm. Holsey visited the Ushuaia Naval Base, and in August, he attended the South American Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC 25), in Buenos Aires, where he expressed concern about the advance of transnational criminal organizations in the region.
Solidarity exercise
Argentine military personnel also participated in the Solidaridad 2025 combined joint exercise with Chilean troops, October 4-10, 2025, in the cities of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, Chile. The armed forces of both countries worked together to “strengthen and improve their response capacity in humanitarian assistance and emergency situations,” the Argentine Ministry of Defense said in a statement. “More than 600 people, including military, police, firefighters, and civilians, participated in this training.”
“Argentina’s participation in exercise Solidaridad signals its commitment to regional stability and international security, enhancing its reputation as a reliable partner, with the aim of positioning itself as a leader in regional security efforts, influencing political and strategic decisions in the Americas,” the Argentine government said.
