The delivery marks a further step in rebuilding the capabilities of the Argentine Air Force. In total, the government has purchased 25 used F-16AM/BM fighters from Denmark, including one non-flying example delivered in December 2024.
When the first airframe arrived last year, it was expected that the remaining aircraft would be shipped by sea. The April 2024 agreement between Argentina and Denmark was followed in December 2024 by a separate government-to-government deal with the United States covering training, logistical support and weapons.
That package was valued at up to 941 million US dollars and included a small batch of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II guided bombs. Argentina is now the third South American country to operate F-16s, after Venezuela and Chile.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility that the acquisition of used aircraft could open the way to future procurement of new F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70/72 models. The December arrival of the first six jets signals the pace at which Buenos Aires intends to modernise its air fleet.
