Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, is in Buenos Aires today to meet his Argentine counterpart, Minister of Defence Luis Alfonso Petri, and to sign a letter of intent on the possible sale of Danish F-16 fighter jets. The decision to sell the Danish jets to Argentina has been carried out in close collaboration with the American government, who has approved the sale of the US produced aircrafts. As Denmark transitions to the F-35 fighter jet, they are phasing out their F-16 fleet. This sale allows Denmark to strategically re-allocate these aircraft while bolstering Argentina’s air defense capabilities.
“Danish Defence is in the process of replacing its F-16 fleet with new F-35 jets. Denmark is donating 19 F-16 jets to Ukraine, and the government has decided to sell 24 Danish F-16 jets to Argentina. I am therefore very pleased that my Argentine colleague and I today in Buenos Aires have signed a letter of intent on the possible sale”, says Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen.
“I have had an extremely fruitful meeting with my Argentine colleague who has expressed great satisfaction on becoming member of the family of F-16 nations across the globe. The deal has been negotiated in collaboration with the United States”, says Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen.
The sale received the green light from the U.S. government, which plays a crucial role in authorizing the export of American-made military equipment. The Biden administration has formally notified Congress about the potential transfer of 38 F-16 fighter jets and four P-3 maritime patrol aircraft to Argentina. This strategic move is part of a comprehensive effort to enhance Argentina’s military capabilities and foster regional stability. The proposed arms package, which includes equipment from Denmark and Norway, underscores the multifaceted considerations that went into this decision, marking it as a calculated step towards bolstering Argentina’s defense infrastructure.
The proposed arms package, estimated at a total value of approximately $447.1 million, carries immense strategic significance. The inclusion of up to 38 F-16 fighter jets represents a pivotal upgrade to Argentina’s air force. While the aircraft include older variants like the Block 10 and Block 15, their capabilities remain formidable, offering Argentina an immediate enhancement to its air combat capabilities. This modernization aligns seamlessly with Argentina’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its air force, strengthening its deterrence capabilities and regional influence. Equally noteworthy is the transfer of four P-3 maritime patrol aircraft from Norway.
