Argentina gets closer to US green light for F-16 and P-3 deals

Argentina is one step closer in obtaining a new fighter jet, after numerous attempts, facing financial problems and boycots from the United Kingdom.

The Biden administration recently asked the US Congress to approve the sale of former Flyvevåbnet (RDAF, Royal Danish Air Force) F-16s for possible export to Argentina. This permission is required because of the contract F-16 users have with the United States. The value of the 38 F-16s involved, up to six F-16 Block 10 and up to 32 F-16 Block 15 variant, is USD 339 million.

Along with this requested permission, a positive decision on the four Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft was also asked. This is valued at around USD 108 million.

Next steps after Congress grants permission will be to work out the details, formalising the contracts and finding the millions to pay for all of this. Scramble Magazine suspects that the United Kingdom will urge Denmark not to go through with this deal. But maybe the US have finally also convinced the UK that their worries over the Falkland Islands do not merit driving Argentina into China's arms, the latter country being willing to provide JF-17 fighters.

Photo (just illustrative) by Filippo Rondini (Scramble Archive)