Peru's future fighter

The competition to provide the future fighter aircraft for the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP, Peruvian Air Force) is hotting up, with a decision still pending.

Earlier this year, the Swedish parliment was asked to clear a sale of SAAB's JAS39E/F Gripen NG. It was framed as if the Swedes more or less already sold them. While Dassault seems to be relying on its long-standing relation with Peru in the Mirage 2000-programme and stronger government-to-government ties.

On 16 September 2025, a USD 3,4 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request was sent by the US State Department to US Congress. If approved, Lockheed-Martin can provide twelve F-16C/D Block 70 machines against favourable conditions. However, 24 aircraft are sought by FAP.
Other attempts have been made to get a piece of the action, for example by Korean Aerospace offering the KF-21.

But still, no formal decision has been made yet, although that was due this July already. Peru has a mottled history with regard to aircraft acquisitions. With bribes up to the presidential level and dubious pedigree of some aircraft, the country seems determined to tick all the procedural boxes this time. That being said, in the end it will be a political decision ...

Credit image: Lockheed Martin