F-16 Fighting Falcon News

September 13, 1999 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Boeing and Lockheed Martin said the Chilean military was shopping for fighter jets, reviving plans it shelved last year, when the country was heading for a painful economic slump. The U.S. -based aircraft makers apparently submitted proposals three weeks ago to sell Chile about a dozen Lockheed F-16s or Boeing F-18s.
Chile is also reportedly considering buying French Dassault Mirage 2000-5s, JAS-39 Grippens made by Sweden's Saab AB, or even used aircraft from the U.S. government.

Chile initially solicited fighter proposals in 1997 amid speculation it would order up to 18 state-of-the-art stealth jets with a reported price tag of about $600 million. In June 1998 Chilean Finance Minister Eduardo Aninat said the order was on hold, citing concerns that a deep recession in Asia would damage Chile's economy and slash government revenues. About a third of Chilean exports are sold in Asia.

Lockheed spokesman Joe Stout said Chile was expected to award the fighter contract by the end of the year, but added that a decision could come much sooner.

Lockheed estimates Chile will eventually need as many as 60 new fighters to modernize its air force. Any jets from the initial order would probably be delivered in two to three years.