The Argentinian Minister of Defence, Luis Petri, led the signing of the historic purchase agreement for 24 F-16 fighter jets, with which Argentina will recover its supersonic interception capacity after many years. Prior to his visit to the city of Copenhagen, on March 26, Petri received his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen, to sign a Letter of Intent for the acquisition of these fighter-bombers that will provide the Argentine Air Force with a capable weapons system to deter and control any aerospace threat. It should be noted that these F-16 fighter aircraft will be the backbone of the air defence system in Argentina, a mission that the Mirage aircraft performed for more than 40 years until their decommissioning.
“Today we are completing the most important military aeronautical acquisition since 1983. These are 24 F-16 aircraft that have been modernized and equipped with the best technology, and that today are at the level of the best aircraft that fly in the skies of the South American region and the world. With these new aircraft we are taking a momentous step in our defence policy, recovering the supersonic capacity of our aviation and achieving the definitive entry of our Air Force into the technological challenges of the 21st century,” said Petri, who also spoke with President Javier Milei, who witnessed the event via videoconference.
The purchase of these aircraft ratifies the government’s decision to promote investment in Defence with the objective of strengthening the capabilities of the military instrument. The F-16 system acquired from Denmark includes single-seat aircraft, two-seat aircraft for advanced pilot training, weapons and support equipment. This aircraft of North American origin is a multipurpose aircraft capable to perform of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions. The agreement includes the delivery of four flight simulators and eight engine, while spare parts for the aircraft will be guaranteed for five years. In addition, the contract provides for the training of pilots and maintainers who will work on this weapons system.
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 contract, which is worth $320 million, also includes reconnaissance pods and training armaments, such as AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles. 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. 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.
