Argentina has finally received its first F-16 supersonic fighter jet, a major milestone for the country’s defense capabilities. Earlier, the country had rejected ‘Hot Contender’ Chinese JF-17 Thunder for second-hand Fighting Falcons.
On December 16, the Argentine Air Force (FAA) confirmed the arrival of the first F-16. The development marks the return of a supersonic aircraft to the nation after nearly a decade.
The jet was purchased from Denmark, and its arrival is a major step in modernizing Argentina’s air defense. The arrival of the much-anticipated jet was confirmed by the Argentine Ministry of Defense via X (formerly Twitter), where it announced the delivery of the aircraft.
A C-130 Hercules, part of the Argentine Air Force, was tasked with transporting the fuselage from Denmark to Argentina. The aircraft landed in El Palomar before continuing to Tandil, where it will be assembled by FAA technicians.
“WE HAVE THE FIRST F-16 IN ARGENTINA! Today, the C-130 of the Argentine Air Force landed in El Palomar with the fuselage on board and continued on to Tandil to begin assembly. Great news for our defense and a source of pride for all Argentines,” the Ministry wrote in a tweet.
Luis Petri, Argentina’s Minister of Defense, hailed the acquisition as “the most important purchase for national defense.”
Petri added, “Having a supersonic aircraft system is not only a deterrent but also guarantees the real exercise of sovereignty, protecting our airspace like never before.”
The F-16 acquisition is the result of an agreement signed earlier this year between Argentina and Denmark, with the latter agreeing to sell 24 surplus F-16 fighter jets for approximately $300 million.
The deal was carried out with the cooperation of the United States, which has approved both the sale of the US-made fighter jets and a substantial $941 million package of weapons and spare parts.
According to the US Department of State, the sale will “improve Argentina’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the additional capacity to conduct air defense, offensive counter air, and close air support operations.”
The first F-16 to arrive is a two-seater F-16B, designated ET-210, which will reportedly serve as a training platform for Argentina’s pilots and maintenance crews.
The aircraft has a unique history, having played a key role in Denmark’s adoption of the F-35 program. It previously served as a “chase aircraft” at Edwards Air Base in the US, where it was involved in the F-35 program and sustained damage during a mishap. The jet was subsequently repaired and returned to Denmark in 2016.
However, according to Argentina’s El Litoral news outlet, this two-seater F-16B MLU Block 10 is not part of the 24 F-16 aircraft ordered for the VI Air Brigade of the Argentine Air Force (FAA), which is based in Tandil.
Instead, after assembly by Argentine Air Force and Royal Danish Air Force technicians, it will be dedicated to training specialist personnel, mechanics, and combat aviators. This aircraft is apparently the only Block 10 F-16 included in the agreement; the rest of the fleet will consist of Block 15 models.
Multiple accounts report that the deliveries of the operational F-16 Block 15 aircraft are set to begin in 2025, with six planes expected that year and the remaining deliveries continuing through 2028.
Acquisition Of F-16s
The arrival of the F-16 fighter jets is a success for Argentina’s long-standing efforts to revitalize its Air Force, which has been facing major challenges in acquiring new aircraft for years.
The Fuerza Aérea Argentina (Argentine Air Force) has been without a supersonic fighter since the retirement of its entire Mirage III C and V fleet in 2015. The only remaining fighter/attack aircraft in service was the McDonnell Douglas A-4AR, a model received in 1995 through an agreement with the United States.
This deal came after the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Argentina and the UK following the 1982 Falklands War. Despite its age, the A-4AR continued to serve the FAA, largely thanks to US spare parts and Argentina’s remarkable ability to maintain its aircraft with minimal resources.
In addition to the A-4AR, the FAA also operated a fleet of IA-63 Pampas, locally produced advanced trainers that have been rebranded as ‘fighters’ by Argentine government officials.
However, despite these efforts to keep its air force functional, the condition of Argentina’s aviation fleet had deteriorated to the point where some experts jokingly referred to it as an “outstanding aviation museum.”
The urgent need to modernize its air capabilities had become undeniable, and Argentina’s Air Force sought to acquire a new fleet of fighter jets for years, but its attempts to procure modern aircraft were repeatedly thwarted by financial and geopolitical hurdles.
A major obstacle in Argentina’s quest for modern fighters has been the arms embargo imposed by the United Kingdom, a legacy of the Falklands War. This embargo not only prevents the sale of British-made aircraft but also affects any aircraft containing British components.
As a result, deals regarding several potential fighter candidates, including the Dassault Mirage F1, IAI Kfir, Korea Aerospace Industries’ FA-50, and the Saab Gripen NG, were blocked or failed to materialize.
There were even unconfirmed reports that Russia had offered Su-24 Fencer bombers, a deal that was later refuted by Moscow, but the rumors raised alarm in Britain about the potential use of the aircraft in attacks on the Falkland Islands.
After several false starts, the final contenders for Argentina’s new fighter fleet were narrowed down last year to three options: the US-made F-16, the Chinese JF-17 Block III Thunder, and the Indian HAL Tejas Mk 1A.
In the past, the F-16 appeared unattainable due to the British embargo, but Argentina’s increasing interest in Chinese JF-17 Thunder led the United States to intensify its diplomatic efforts.
Ultimately, the US successfully persuaded Argentina to choose the F-16 and dump the Chinese jets. Earlier this year, Argentina secured an agreement with Denmark to acquire 24 second-hand F-16s, and the first F-16 has now arrived in Buenos Aires.
Overall, the development proved to be a win for all parties involved. For the US, it alleviated concerns over China’s growing influence in South America.
For Argentina, the arrival of the first F-16s marks a long-awaited restoration of true fighter capabilities that have been absent since the decommissioning of the Mirage fleet nearly a decade ago.
As for the UK, experts noted that while Argentina’s acquisition of F-16 jets may seem significant, it doesn’t alter the ground reality. The country’s military still faces challenges with outdated equipment, financial limitations, and logistical issues.
Furthermore, any potential threats to the Falklands remain unlikely, and the diplomatic complexities surrounding Argentina’s new jets make such concerns even more distant.
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