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Chile to buy US F-16 fighters
January 30, 2003 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Although president Lagos faced calls not to sign the deal, the Chilean Government says it will go ahead with purchasing 10 F-16 fighter jets from the United States.
President Ricardo Lagos authorised the deal - worth $660m - to modernise the country's airforce. The decision to buy the planes - made by Lockheed Martin - comes after some five years of deliberations.
Chile's northern neighbour, Peru, has warned that the purchase could spark a regional arms race. But Chile's Air Force has said it needs the planes as its fleet is almost obsolete.
There has also been ongoing opposition to the transaction in Chile especially as the Chilean economy continues to be hit by the world-wide slowdown and falling copper prices - the country's top commodity.
Each plane costs about $25m but Chile was also expected to be buying a support package that included training, spare parts and weapons.
The French company Dassault had been hoping Chile would purchase more of its Mirage jets - a key component of the present Chilean air force. And another manufacturer, Saab, had also pinned its hopes on its Jas 39 Gripen.
Chile's northern neighbour, Peru, has warned that the purchase could spark a regional arms race. But Chile's Air Force has said it needs the planes as its fleet is almost obsolete.
There has also been ongoing opposition to the transaction in Chile especially as the Chilean economy continues to be hit by the world-wide slowdown and falling copper prices - the country's top commodity.
Each plane costs about $25m but Chile was also expected to be buying a support package that included training, spare parts and weapons.
The French company Dassault had been hoping Chile would purchase more of its Mirage jets - a key component of the present Chilean air force. And another manufacturer, Saab, had also pinned its hopes on its Jas 39 Gripen.
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