As recently reported by the Ministry of Defense, Argentina has signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the United States for the purchase of weaponry and related equipment for the future F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets of the Air Force. The signing ceremony took place at the U.S. Embassy, attended by Defense Minister Luis Petri, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Marc Stanley, the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Brigadier Xavier Isaac, the newly appointed Chief of the Argentine Air Force, Brigadier Gustavo Valverde, and other relevant authorities.
In anticipation of the acquisition of 24 F-16A/B MLU jets from Denmark, Report No. 140 from the Cabinet of Ministers to the Chamber of Deputies in September had already announced that the LOA signing, as part of the acquisition of the respective weaponry and related equipment, would occur by year-end. While further details were not provided, this agreement between both countries represents a significant technological leap for the Argentine Air Force in terms of data transmission, electronic warfare, cutting-edge equipment and weaponry, integrated logistical support, and pilot and technical training.
Unfortunately, various aspects of the operation concerning both the incorporation of the aircraft and their future armament remain classified under Military Secrecy. This development was reported through the publication of Decree 1073/2024 in the Official Gazette of the Argentine Republic, supplementing measures adopted in September. At that time, under Decree No. 807, infrastructure works and investments in the VI Air Brigade were classified under Military Secrecy, now extended to complementary operations for the incorporation of the F-16 Weapons System, including the acquisition of its armament.
However, as previously analyzed by Zona Militar, one of the factors influencing the selection of the F-16 was the provision of a substantial weapons package, including AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range BVR air-to-air missiles, and guided weaponry for attack missions and close air support. This was later reflected in the authorization issued by the State Department, which approved a weapons and equipment package valued at over USD 900 million.
Among the statements made by the Ministry of Defense today, the following stands out: “This document lays the foundation to establish and sustain the Weapons System, incorporating state-of-the-art equipment and weaponry, as well as all necessary work to integrate these elements into the Argentine Military Instrument.”
Additionally, considering the group of 29 states that currently operate F-16 fighters in their air forces, it was highlighted that “… the Argentine Air Force formally becomes today the 29th country to operate one of the world’s most successful 4th-generation multirole fighters, joining a select group of users that will bring an unprecedented generational and professional shift to the institution, thereby strengthening the control of our airspace and restoring national deterrence capabilities, projecting them into the future.”
Regarding this, it is worth noting that the institution is already in the process of receiving the first unit of the F-16 program, designated as number 25, which is being transported from Denmark aboard the Hercules TC-66 “Polo Sur.” In the coming days, another aircraft from the force is expected to complete the transfer of the F-16B Block 10 cell, which will be assigned for crew and pilot training tasks at the VI Air Brigade in Tandil.
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