The RA-3 research reactor, a 10 MWt pool type, began operation in 1967 and produces a range of medical radioisotopes (Image: CNEA)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) designates International Centres based on Research Reactors (ICERR) with the aim of helping its member states "gain timely access to relevant nuclear infrastructure based on research reactors to achieve their capacity building and research and development objectives".

The IAEA facilitates bilateral agreements with the accredited centre making their research reactors and resources available to organisations and institutions of an IAEA member country for basic training, staff training and research projects.

There are currently eight of the international centres - two in the USA, plus others in Russia, Belgium, France, Romania, South Korea and Morocco.

Germán Guido Lavalle, CNEA President, said: "Considering Argentina’s extensive capabilities in the field of experimental reactors, both in terms of their design, construction and operation, as well as the particular role it plays in the training of highly specialised human resources, this is a unique opportunity to continue deepening international cooperation, both bilateral and multilateral. A huge amount of work has been done in this area thanks to the support of the IAEA, in addition to the capabilities of the CNEA, which we believe make us a good ICERR candidate."

Osvaldo Calzetta Larrieu, advisor to the CNEA, said: "The facilities that we have defined that they will be able to use are the RA-3, the RA-6 (a 0.5 MWt open-pool multipurpose research reactor) and, when it is operational, the RA-10. Also the Argentine Neutron Beam Laboratory (LAHN) and other laboratories and engineering and security studies capabilities."

The application for the ICERR status was made during the IAEA's General Conference in Vienna. The RA-10 Multipurpose reactor, a 30 MWt open pool type reactor, is currently under construction in Argentina. During a session focusing on its progress at the general conference, it was said that the aim was for commissioning to begin during 2026, with full operation in 2027.