As the Argentine Air Force is in the process of integrating its F-16 fighters acquired from Denmark, the United States government has authorized the potential sale of the weapons package for the Fighting Falcons. This is detailed in the latest notification from the U.S. Department of State to Congress, informing the legislative body for review and approval of the operation through the FMS Program.
According to recent updates from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Argentine government requested a logistics support package and various weaponry from the U.S. for its future F-16A/B MLU jets acquired from Denmark.
Thanks to the State Department’s publication, more details are available on the Argentine government’s request to complete the F-16 weapons system for its Air Force. The package, valued at $944 million, includes air-to-air and air-to-surface guided weapons, with Lockheed Martin as the primary supplier.
In detail, the authorized package includes the sale of 36 BVR AIM-120 C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, along with two guidance sections. The air-to-ground weapons include 102 general-purpose 500-pound MK-82 bombs, 50 laser-guided GBU-12 Paveway II bombs, and 102 programmable FMU-152A/B fuses.
In addition to weaponry, the package includes associated equipment such as AN/ARC-238 tactical radios, mission planning equipment, inert fuses, ground support systems for Link 16, and components for F-16 protection systems, like chaff, flares, and cartridges. As is typical in such cases, the package also includes support, training, and associated services.
The Department of State noted that “this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in South America.”
It added, “The proposed sale will enhance Argentina’s capability to address current and future threats by providing it with additional capability to conduct air defense, offensive countermeasures, and close air support operations. Argentina will have no difficulty integrating this equipment into its armed forces.”
As indicated by the Chief of Staff of Ministers in a report to Argentina’s National Congress in early September, the LOA (Letter of Assist) is expected to be signed by October/November.
Lastly, regarding the delivery schedule of the F-16s to the Argentine Air Force, the same report stated, “The aircraft are expected to begin arriving in Argentina in December 2024 (trainer aircraft), and the remaining aircraft are expected to arrive in flights in groups of six beginning in December 2025.” The report adds, “Personnel dedicated to receiving, operating, and maintaining the aircraft are currently undergoing training. The integration program includes plans to sustain the Weapons System until the end of its operational life.”
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Ok, Another arms package for Ukraine, wow, my only comment is who is going to pay for it? I don’t know about everyone else, but, I’m getting tired of paying for other countries endless wars.
Larry — here are your choices: a.) pay for our weaker allies to fight our mutual enemies on battlefields far away from us; b.) go fight our allies’ enemies, preferably in our weaker allies’ countries rather than here; or, c.) fight our enemies in sites of their choosing, like Indianapolis or Poughkeepsie… all because you and all the other little Larry guys didn’t understand what the military strategy of “forward defense” meant, were too cheap to pay for it, and too gutless to launch an offensive war against our enemies in their homelands. Sound “mean” to you, Larry? Well, too bad. That’s the way the world works, about 70-80% of the time. If and only if we “win” the small, far away wars can we minimize them by deterring our enemies from starting yet another (no win for them) war.