Argentina intends to upgrade its air force, approaching a historic deal to purchase F-16 fighter jets from Denmark that could be announced as early as the end of April. This step will significantly improve the country’s defense capabilities and strengthen its air force, La Nacion reports.
Argentina plans to buy 24 F-16A/B MLU aircraft for $338 million, spending an additional $312 million on weapons, including AIM-9 Sidewinders and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. The agreement also provides for major investments in military infrastructure and modernization of the 6th Aviation Brigade’s facilities.
These 24 F-16s are the remainder of the transfer of approximately 19 aircraft to Ukraine, as reported by TV2.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei is actively discussing this process on social media, emphasizing the refusal to buy Chinese JF-17 fighters and stressing the strategic importance of the current deal for the country. The acquisition of American fighter jets from Denmark is part of Argentina’s broader efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States, which recently saw CIA Director William Burns visit the country and a meeting with the head of the Southern Command, General Laura Richardson, scheduled for April.
Also, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen will travel to Argentina on Monday to discuss the possible sale of F-16 fighter jets that remain in Denmark so that they can become part of the Argentine Air Force. However, the minister emphasizes that he is not traveling to the country to sign an agreement.
Denmark is in the process of phasing out its F-16 fighters, which will be replaced by modern F-35 fighters. In September 2023, Denmark received the first 4 of 27 fighter jets from the American manufacturer Lockheed Martin, but the rest of the aircraft are still awaiting delivery.
The next batch of F-35s was scheduled for the first half of 2024, but testing and software issues delayed the next batch of aircraft to the last half of 2024.
The Danish government is stepping up investments in the country’s defense capabilities in the face of threats from Russia and its aggression in Ukraine. This is also one of the reasons for the sale of the remaining F-16 aircraft.
According to Danish media, one may wonder why Denmark is not handing over the rest of the planes to Ukraine.
According to the minister, the 19 donated F-16s are a “large and substantial contribution,” and Denmark has shown great solidarity with other contributions and donations.
– “We are one of the countries in Europe that donates the most, and therefore we can sell the remaining F-16s that we may have left with a clear conscience,” the minister said.
As early as August 2023, Denmark decided to give Ukraine 19 F-16 aircraft, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (C) said that this should be seen as “an example of Denmark’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s struggle.”
It was planned that the planes would arrive in Ukraine in several batches, the first six of which would arrive in early 2024. In particular, we reported that Ukraine may receive the first F-16s in July, but the number of aircraft is limited
