February 23, 1998 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
With Chile expected to make a decision in its program for a fighter aircraft in the next two months, US and European aircraft manufacturers are fiercely competing for the lucrative production contract.
Chile is expected to order an initial 20 to 24 aircraft and is considering the Lockheed Martin F-l6, the Boeing F/A-18, the Dassault Mirage 2000, and the Saab-British Aerospace JAS 39 Grippen to meet this requirement.
The F-16 is viewed as the least costly of the four competing aircraft, with the Mirage 2000 the most expensive.
