Argentine Air Force: The Dagger and Its Severe Limitations in Combat Flight

The Dagger and Its Severe Limitations in Combat Flight

During the war, among the pilots facing the greatest challenges in attack missions against the British fleet were those flying the IAI Nesher Dagger aircraft. In addition to lacking missiles and defensive countermeasures, these aircraft were not equipped with aerial refueling capability—unlike the Skyhawks and Super Étendards—thus forcing them to operate under extremely adverse conditions. They regularly exceeded their designated combat weight limit of approximately six tons, taking off at full load with over thirteen tons. This excess weight was due not only to the bombs but also to the supplemental fuel tanks, which they could not afford to jettison if they hoped to return to their base at San Julián in Santa Cruz, over 500 kilometers from the Malvinas Islands.

These constraints severely compromised their maneuverability in aerial combat situations, especially when confronted by enemy aircraft or by ship-based surface-to-air missiles. As a result, eleven aircraft were shot down—nine by AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles launched from Sea Harrier jets, and two by surface-launched anti-aircraft missiles—leading to the deaths of six Argentine pilots.

First Lieutenant Carlos "Lobo" Musso recounted these difficulties as follows:

"The cruising altitude was low, considering the characteristics of the aircraft—approximately 7,000 to 8,000 meters, nearly twice what the aircraft normally allowed. Since the Dagger had no in-flight refueling capability, we took off fully loaded with fuel, carrying external tanks that we had to keep at all costs (two wing tanks and one centerline tank). Consequently, we could not ascend to higher altitudes or fly at supersonic speeds. The armament consisted of two bombs and the cannons—nothing more. Under these conditions, we always took off with an exceptional takeoff weight, even above the limits set by the manual. It was more akin to a ferry configuration than a combat setup."

Despite these considerable limitations and the immense effort required, Dagger pilots, flying overloaded aircraft, managed to strike several British vessels with their bombs. These included the HMS Antrim (D18), HMS Brilliant (F90), HMS Broadsword (F88), HMS Arrow (F173), HMS Plymouth (F126), and the RFA Sir Tristram (L3505). They also played a role in the sinking of the HMS Ardent (F184) and the RFA Sir Galahad (L3005).