The design of the global Argo Array requires a 3 x 3 degree spacing of instruments between 60°S and 60°N, equivalent to 3200 floats. Float deployments began in 2000 and there are currently more than 3200 active floats, however not all of these are reporting good data. Argo has met or exceeded the target only at mid-latitudes in the northern hemisphere. Additionally, some regions of the ocean have more than the required float density while gaps open up in remote ocean regions. To take account of natural float attrition (battery failure, grounding etc) and to maintain the core Argo density, about 800 floats need to be deployed each year.  There is a shortfall of more than 500 floats in the Southern hemisphere. Therefore this region is a priority area for new float deployments.