Argentine aerospace: The IA-100B “Malvina” training aircraft took to the skies on May 20, 2025, from the Escuela de Aviación Militar’s runway in Córdoba. The aircraft, developed by the state-owned Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA), marks the first flight of a new generation of indigenous trainers that could redefine military pilot instruction across Latin America.
Delayed by eleven days due to internal setbacks at FAdeA, the flight represents the culmination of years of technological, logistical, and political efforts. It signals the start of an intensive phase of flight testing and evaluation before the aircraft is deemed ready for production and operational deployment.
The journey of the IA-100B began over a decade ago, rooted in a national vision to revive Argentina’s aeronautical manufacturing capabilities. The IA-100 program was first launched in December 2014, with the initial goal of building a technology demonstrator to assess the feasibility of producing a composite low-wing trainer aircraft.
The IA-100A, the first prototype, achieved its maiden flight on August 8, 2016. It was a modest, experimental craft, never intended for production. With its fixed landing gear, 180-horsepower Lycoming engine, side-by-side seating, and manually constructed composite fuselage, the IA-100A was more about proof of concept than performance.
After the program went dormant, Argentina’s Ministry of Defense reactivated it in 2020 with new specifications, aligned with the Fuerza Aérea Argentina’s (FAA) updated pilot training requirements. The resulting aircraft, the IA-100B, brought significant enhancements in design, materials, and functionality. It was officially christened “Malvina” — a symbolic nod to the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, underscoring national pride and sovereignty.
Unlike its predecessor, the IA-100B was designed from the ground up for real-world performance. It features tandem seating with an optional third seat for liaison roles, retractable landing gear, and advanced flight capabilities, including aerobatics and instrument flying.
Under the hood, the aircraft is powered by a robust 260-horsepower Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 engine, paired with a three-bladed Hartzell propeller. This configuration allows the IA-100B to hit a cruise speed of 145 knots, with a stall speed of 57 knots and a service ceiling of 18,000 feet. It boasts a range of over 1,000 kilometers — enough for complex cross-country training exercises.
Its structural innovations are perhaps the most striking. Over 85% of the IA-100B’s airframe is constructed using pre-impregnated composite fibers, significantly enhancing durability, precision, and ease of assembly. The wings and fuselage have been completely redesigned, using semi-monocoque carbon fiber architecture for better load distribution and aerodynamic efficiency.
With a length of 8.4 meters and a height of 2.7 meters, the IA-100B is larger than its predecessor and optimized for training versatility. The 14-square-meter wing area provides stability for both beginners and advanced aerobatic maneuvers. It is rated for +6g and -3g loads and is certified for inverted flight.
Inside, the IA-100B reflects modern military cockpit standards. A higher canopy enhances visibility — a crucial aspect of formation and aerobatic training. The avionics suite is built around the Garmin G500 digital system, offering full VFR and IFR capabilities. The layout has been simplified for ease of instruction while remaining sophisticated enough to simulate the transition to higher-performance platforms like the IA-63 Pampa or Beechcraft T-6C+ Texan II.
The aircraft has been designed to comply with FAR Part 23 and select U.S. MIL standards, ensuring a balance between civilian certification and military training requirements.
In December 2022, the Argentine Ministry of Defense formalized its commitment to the IA-100B with a direct inter-administrative contract to FAdeA. The deal covered the development, certification, and production of ten aircraft, with an investment of over USD 10 million in materials and roughly USD 410,000 in labor.
In addition to the initial batch, the contract funded 22% of materials required to produce eight more aircraft — a signal of Argentina’s intent to scale production based on test results and export demand. The Ministry’s long-term goal is a fleet of 25 to 40 units, shared between the Air Force and Naval Aviation Command.
Despite ambitions to complete the prototype by 2021 and deliver operational aircraft by 2022, technical and logistical challenges delayed progress. The prototype was only completed in March 2025, with its first flight occurring two months later. Now, with test flights underway, FAdeA aims to integrate any necessary design adjustments into the production models.
The IA-100B has not only captured domestic interest — it has begun to generate buzz across Latin America. On April 18, 2023, Paraguay’s Air Force signed a letter of intent to evaluate the IA-100B as a replacement for its retired T-23 Uirapuru fleet. General Arturo Javier González cited the aircraft’s low projected cost (under USD 1 million) as a key factor.
Uruguay followed suit on June 29, 2023, when its Air Force signed a declaration of interest. With five aging Pilatus PC-7s and ten SF.260s in service, the IA-100B could offer a cost-effective, modern alternative for basic flight training.
FAdeA is positioning the aircraft as a low-cost, logistically favorable solution for Latin America’s training needs. With reduced spare parts costs due to regional manufacturing and compatibility with shared training standards, the IA-100B may find a niche among budget-conscious militaries looking to upgrade without relying on distant suppliers.
The IA-100B arrives at a time when Argentina is reshaping its pilot training ecosystem. Its current inventory includes:
- 12 Beechcraft T-6C+ Texan II aircraft for intermediate training.
- 12 EMB-312 Tucanos for both training and light attack roles.
- 8 Grob G 120TP aircraft for elementary instruction.
- 16 IA-63 Pampa II advanced trainers, with three being upgraded to the Pampa III configuration.
Notably, there is a gap between the elementary and intermediate levels — a space the IA-100B is poised to fill. Its introduction will allow for a more gradual, effective training curve, especially for cadets beginning their careers.
The IA-100B isn’t just a product of FAdeA; it reflects a collaborative ecosystem. The Regional University Center of Córdoba (IUA – UNDEF) has played a critical role in structural analysis, flight dynamics, and computational modeling. This partnership not only supports the aircraft’s design integrity but also nurtures a pipeline of aerospace talent.
Argentina’s investment in the IA-100B is as much about national capacity-building as it is about defense. By fostering homegrown aerospace development, the country reinforces its strategic autonomy and lays the groundwork for future indigenous aircraft programs.
The May 20 flight kicks off a rigorous flight test program that will evaluate performance, reliability, and handling characteristics under various operational scenarios. These results will guide final adjustments to the airframe, engine tuning, and avionics setup before full-scale production begins.
If tests go as planned, the first ten production aircraft could be delivered to the Argentine Air Force by 2026, with further units contingent on performance data, budget approvals, and export orders.
The IA-100B “Malvina” is more than a trainer — it is a symbol of national resurgence, technological ambition, and regional leadership. For a country that has seen decades of defense procurement dependency, this aircraft is a tangible step toward self-reliance.
