Argentina’s long-awaited fighter fleet renewal took a significant leap forward on 5 December, as the first six Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon multirole combat aircraft purchased from Denmark arrived in the country. The jets, drawn from Copenhagen’s surplus inventory, flew to Argentina under their own power with multiple technical stopovers along the route. The ferry mission was supported by three U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tankers, underscoring the trilateral cooperation behind the transfer.
A Turning Point for Argentina’s Air Force
The arrival of these aircraft begins the most important combat aviation upgrade for the Argentine Air Force (FAA) in more than four decades. Under the agreement signed in April 2024, Buenos Aires is acquiring 25 used F-16AM/BM fighters from Denmark — 24 flying examples and one non-flying airframe delivered in late 2024 for training and instruction.
The procurement ends years of stalled efforts to replace Argentina’s ageing A-4AR Fightinghawks, many of which have become difficult to sustain due to spare-parts shortages. The F-16s — though used — provide Argentina with a modern, NATO-standard system, improved sensors, and access to a broader inventory of Western weapons.
U.S. Support Package Expands the Deal
Following the initial Denmark-Argentina agreement, a separate U.S. government-to-government package was finalised in December 2024. Valued at up to USD 941 million, it includes:
-
Training for pilots and ground crews
-
Long-term logistical and sustainment support
-
A weapons package, including a limited quantity of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles
-
GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs
-
Access to U.S. technical assistance and upgrade pathways
This makes the F-16 programme not simply a transfer of aircraft, but a comprehensive integration of the FAA into Western air combat standards.
Regional Impact
With the induction of the F-16, Argentina becomes the third South American nation to operate the type, joining Venezuela (which received F-16As in the 1980s) and Chile (which operates upgraded MLU-standard F-16AM/BMs and Block 50 models).
Analysts say the step will give Buenos Aires far greater air policing capability, better interoperability with Western partners, and a more credible deterrent posture in the South Atlantic.
Future Possibilities: Toward New-Build Fighters?
While the current fleet consists of used MLU-standard aircraft, Argentine officials have suggested that the programme could lay the foundation for future acquisition of new F-16C/D Block 70/72 aircraft — the latest iteration of the Fighting Falcon equipped with AESA radars, new mission computers, and extended service life.
Industry sources have also noted that Argentina’s smooth acceptance and operation of the Danish aircraft will be an important benchmark for Washington’s willingness to approve higher-end systems later.
Accelerated Delivery Timeline
Originally, most of the Danish aircraft were expected to travel by sea. However, the arrival of the first six fighters by air suggests a faster-than-anticipated delivery tempo, signalling Buenos Aires’ urgency in restoring combat readiness. More airframes are expected to follow through 2025 as the FAA prepares bases, simulators, maintenance infrastructure, and conversion training for its pilots.
Final Delivery Timeline
- April 2024 — Argentina and Denmark sign agreement for 24 flying F-16AM/BM aircraft + 1 non-flying example.
- December 2024 — First non-flying training airframe delivered; U.S.–Argentina support and weapons package signed.
- 5 December 2025 — First batch of six Danish F-16s arrives in Argentina by air, marking the operational start of the programme.
- Early–Mid 2026 (Expected) — Delivery of the next batches of Danish F-16s; pilot and ground crew conversion intensifies.
- Late 2026 / Early 2027 (Projected) — Completion of all 24 flying aircraft deliveries, enabling the FAA to field a fully operational F-16 squadron with trained personnel and full logistical infrastructure.
A Rebuilt Deterrent
For a country that has not operated supersonic fighters since the retirement of the Mirage III/V family in 2015, the return of a true multirole platform marks a transformational moment. The F-16s will provide:
-
Supersonic interception capability
-
Precision strike options
-
Improved radar and surveillance performance
-
Higher sortie rates and better reliability
As the first six jets touch down, Argentina signals not only a technological upgrade but a strategic shift — re-establishing its presence in the region’s airpower landscape and rebuilding an air force that has struggled with decades of underinvestment.
If you want, I can also write a shorter breaking-news version or a headline-focused version.
——— End of Article ———
