Mirage F1, Kfir, JAS-39 Gripen, MiG-35, F/A-50 Golden Eagle… The list of combat aircraft considered by the Argentine Air Force [Fuerza Aérea Argentina – FAA] to replace its Mirage IIIEA/DA and 5P Mara, withdrawn from service in 2015, is long… And often, Buenos Aires’ plans for combat aviation have been thwarted by the United Kingdom, which vetoes any potential sale of devices containing components of British origin.
However, in recent months, three options have been studied by the Argentine Ministry of Defense.
The first would consist of acquiring a dozen FC-1/JF-17 Thunder Block IIIs, jointly developed by China and Pakistan. This avenue seemed to hold water again recently, with the request for an opening of a credit of 664 million dollars under the 2022 budget for a “project to acquire the JF-17 weapons system”. But, in the end, it didn’t happen…
Recently, the hypothesis of an order for a batch of 12 to 18 HAL Tejas aircraft from India has gained strength, with Argentine and Indian officials having increased contacts. But, for the moment, this has resulted in the signing of a letter of intent for the purchase of around twenty light helicopters produced by Hindustan Aeronautic Limited [HAL].
Finally, the possible resumption of second-hand F-16 MLUs from Denmark has been regularly discussed for several weeks. But, until now, it was suspended from a green light from the United States. However, on October 11, this was given by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of the Department of State [diplomatie américaine, nldr].
“Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Mira Resnick presented Jorge Argüello, the Argentine Ambassador to the United States, with a letter approving the transfer of F-16 aircraft from Denmark to Argentina. This transfer reaffirms our close defense ties and our unwavering support for Argentina’s Air Force modernization efforts,” the State Department explained, via X/Twitter, on October 11.
There would thus be a question of a potential purchase of a maximum of 38 fighter-bombers having served under the Danish cockades. [6 F-16 block 10 et 32 F-16 block 15] for an amount estimated at 340 million dollars. AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles would be included in the offer. In addition, Buenos Aires could benefit from financial aid of 40 million dollars.
Today @StateDeptPM’s Mira Resnick 🇺🇸 delivered a letter to @JorArguello approving the transfer of F-16 aircraft from Denmark 🇩🇰 to 🇦🇷Argentina. The transfer reaffirms our close defense ties and steadfast support for Argentina’s air force modernization efforts. pic.twitter.com/ia4D92An40
— Political-Military Affairs, US Dept of State (@StateDeptPM) October 11, 2023
“The F-16 is a reliable and proven platform that will allow regular training and exercises to increase Argentina’s interoperability with its neighbors and the United States,” argued Mira Resnick, to the daily La Nation. As for a possible UK veto on this sale [notamment à cause du siège éjectable Martin Baker]the American official assured that the proposed planes would not contain any British components.
Note that this communication was made a few hours before an official visit by Argentine President Alberto Fernández to China. Coming to the end of his mandate, he must meet Xi Jiping, his Chinese counterpart, and participate in a forum on the “new silk roads” [Belt and Road Initiative, BRI]. In addition, he will have a meeting with Dilma Rousseff, the former Brazilian president now at the head of the BRICS Development Bank, with a view to obtaining the opening of a credit line for Argentina.
This American green light does not mean that Argentina is about to obtain F-16s… Especially since the hypothesis of purchasing a first batch of JF-17 Thunder [avec un second en option… voire un troisième] has his supporters within the Fuerza Aérea Argentina. “These are new planes and China offers a very complete set of weapons and sensors with few restrictions,” military sources summarized with La Nacion.
2023-10-13 10:29:28
#Argentina #acquire #F16s #Denmark #Military #Zone
