After the Presidential Spokesperson confirmed that President Javier Milei will not fulfill his official trip to Denmark, the signing of the contract for the purchase of F-16A/B MLU Fighting Falcon fighters will be carried out by the Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri. From his X account, the head of the ministry confirmed on April 13th that he will be in charge of signing a “historic agreement that will allow us to ensure control and surveillance of our airspace against any threat.”
President Milei’s presence in Denmark was awaited with some anticipation, as the agenda of the head of state included a flight aboard one of the F-16B aircraft similar to those that the Argentine Air Force will incorporate. However, recent events in the Middle East forced the Argentine president to return to the country directly from the USA.
If there are no changes in the schedule, next Tuesday, April 16th, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen will meet with Argentine Defense Minister Luis Alfonso Petri at Skrydstrup Air Base to formalize the purchase of 24 F-16A/B MLU fighters from the Royal Danish Air Force, as well as complementary material.
Expectations are not only focused on the signing of the document with Denmark, but it is also expected that in the short term, the USA will formalize the package of weaponry and services in order to complete the F-16 weapons system. Official leaks from the involved parties indicated in due time that air-to-air missiles and guided air-to-surface armaments, among other materials, will be included.
Once the purchase of the F-16s is formalized, it is also expected that local projects to adapt the infrastructure of the bases where they will operate will begin, and maintenance will be carried out on the Fighting Falcons. This includes the VI Air Brigade in Tandil and the Río Cuarto Material Area. Both units will require a considerable investment to get them operational.
With the signing of the contract in Denmark, Argentina will finally have initiated the process of recovering a capability that was lost several years ago, a situation that could have been avoided with better planning and decision-making.
Cover image: Forsvaret
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