Danish F-16s for Argentina

[basher54321]

The United States authorized a sale of F-16 aircraft to Argentina
The Department announced the approval of a transfer of 24 aircraft from Denmark, but the amount of the operation is unknown; the transaction competes with an offer from China
October 11, 2023

The Government must now decide whether to carry out this operation, whether to accept China's offer, or whether to postpone any decision to modernize the Air Force and Navy fleet. In addition to the F-16 sale, the US government also authorized a sale of four P-3 aircraft from Norway.

[...]

The Deputy Deputy Secretary of Regional Security of the State Department, Mira Resnick , said in a call with journalists in which LA NACION participated that the State Department approved the transfer of planes to Argentina after having informed Congress, where they did not stand up. objections to the operation. Resnick stressed that the transfer is “of national interest for the United States,” and although he stated that the final decision is Argentina's, he insisted that the North American offer is “superior” to that of China, and that, if finalized, it will serve to deepen the long-term relationship between both countries.

[...]

In the midst of the deep crisis that the economy is going through, one of the main potential obstacles to completing the acquisition of aircraft from Denmark – or, for example, also from China – is the cost of the F-16 aircraft. Resnick did not give details about what the final cost of the planes would be because, he said, the price “changes.” The notifications sent by the State Department to Congress last June placed the cost of the operation with Denmark at an approximate sales value of US$338,695,634 for the transfer of up to 38 aircraft, six F-16s of the “Block 10” version ″ and has 32 “Block 15” aircraft.

“We are working on funding now and hope to notify Congress of $40 million in military funding soon and believe this will help increase the competitiveness of this solution to modernize your aging Air Force fleet and support your national security,” Resnick added. .

Competition with China
In addition to the offer of F-16 aircraft from Denmark, Alberto Fernández's government has long considered the possibility of acquiring JF-17 aircraft produced by China and Pakistan. Alberto Fernández plans to travel to China this Thursday.

The JF-17 proposal, which would have better financial conditions, includes 15 units, with the possibility of negotiating a second batch and, eventually, a third.

“They are new aircraft and China offers a very complete weapon and sensor package with few restrictions. The conditions would be, rather, political due to the twist that an operation with China would imply,” military sources confided. The aircraft of Sino-Pakistani origin would be equipped with Chinese engines, unlike the versions operated by Myanmar and Nigeria with Russian engines.

Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Kanewske specified in the call that the F-16s being offered to Argentina include AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles , the two main air-to-air missiles used by the Air Force. North American. Kanewske also stressed that the F-16 is a “state-of-the-art” platform that continues to be manufactured, and that they are “comparatively equal in technology to the F-16s that have been actively deployed around the world and in global conflict situations.” .

“ The F-16 is a next-generation platform and the Danish government is operating a comprehensive package. So what is unique about the F-16 is the relationship with the US Air Force. It is our “full package approach.” It's not just the plane, it's the training, it's the maintenance, it's the logistics, it's everything that goes into keeping a plane in flying condition and with cutting-edge technology for 40 years," Kanewske said about the implications of the operation.

Source: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/es ... 1697049213

Also see forum topic "Argentina to purchase JF-17 ‘Thunder’ jets from Pakistan"

[milosh]

What about antiship missiles for F-16?

I think before Argentina was close to get JF17 but under UK pressure China put ban on antiship missiles so deal failed.

I doubt Argentina will accept F16 without antiship capability.

After 15 Sep 2021, China is okey to sell antiship missiles with JF17.

[Boman]

I would be more concerned about how Argentina intends to finance the new fighters, given that they effectively are broke. With an interest rate of 176% after the latest rate the economy is not good.

[basher54321]

Denmark Signs Letter Of Intent For F-16 Sale To Argentina
March 26, 2024

Denmark formally committed to sell 24 Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs to Argentina during meetings on March 26 in Buenos Aires, the Danish Ministry of Defense says. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen signed a letter of intent to finalize the deal later this year.

Source: https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/ ... -argentina (Paywall)

[Boman]

Ok, now I believe they will sell the jets to Argentina. Must say I am amazed. But Argentina should with this get good jets. Let's hope they don't use them to start Falklands War II

[ricnunes]

Ok, now I believe they will sell the jets to Argentina. Must say I am amazed. But Argentina should with this get good jets. Let's hope they don't use them to start Falklands War II

Yeah, IMO this is a very dumb decision by Denmark! Selling F-16s to perhaps the biggest enemy (Argentina) of one of the biggest allies (UK). I'm pretty sure that if Argentina is allowed to rearm then it will definitely start or will try to start start Falklands War II.

It would have been a much better and sound idea to donate these F-16s to Ukraine which desperately needs them.

[Boman]

Ukraine will get what they need from Dutch and the remaining Norwegian Vipers, so not concerned with them.
This is big-style politics, keeping China and India out of south america - nothing more.

[Lieven]

Yeah, IMO this is a very dumb decision by Denmark! Selling F-16s to perhaps the biggest enemy (Argentina) of one of the biggest allies (UK). I'm pretty sure that if Argentina is allowed to rearm then it will definitely start or will try to start start Falklands War II.
It would have been a much better and sound idea to donate these F-16s to Ukraine which desperately needs them.

They do donate jets to Ukraine and they discussed this deal with the British Ambassador.

See: https://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article5264.html

[ricnunes]

Yeah, IMO this is a very dumb decision by Denmark! Selling F-16s to perhaps the biggest enemy (Argentina) of one of the biggest allies (UK). I'm pretty sure that if Argentina is allowed to rearm then it will definitely start or will try to start start Falklands War II.
It would have been a much better and sound idea to donate these F-16s to Ukraine which desperately needs them.

They do donate jets to Ukraine and they discussed this deal with the British Ambassador.

See: https://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article5264.html

First of all, thanks for the link Lieven

Actually I was aware that Denmark would be donating some of its F-16's to Ukraine (19 like the link you shared said). But I believe it would be preferable to give 43 to 47 (19 + 24 or 28) F-16's to Ukraine than to "divert" the majority of them to Argentina.

Moreover and according to your link, things were settled with the Brits when it comes to UK made components (which are embargoed to Argentina), components which these F-16s apparently doesn't have. But the threat that they (Argentinian F-16s) pose to the British, namely in the Falklands is IMO very real and as such it's odd how a UK ally would make such a move. This was to be expected from countries like China or Russia but IMO and again, not from a (NATO) ally country like Denmark.

[viperzerof-2]

Argentina using American weapons gives the US leverage over Argentina that they wouldn’t have if they purchased JF-17 or MiG-35.

[ricnunes]

Argentina using American weapons gives the US leverage over Argentina that they wouldn’t have if they purchased JF-17 or MiG-35.

Oh for sure and it keeps Argentina in the "western-sphere" when it comes to military equipment for its armed forces but is this worth when it's cristal clear that Argentina is and always has been a very unreliable country?

[viperzerof-2]

Argentina using American weapons gives the US leverage over Argentina that they wouldn’t have if they purchased JF-17 or MiG-35.

Oh for sure and it keeps Argentina in the "western-sphere" when it comes to military equipment for its armed forces but is this worth when it's cristal clear that Argentina is and always has been a very unreliable country?

It is, and I would say this is why it’s useful to be able to set terms of use on weapons sold and be able to control the flow of supplies. Venezuela became unreliable and lost the ability to get their F-16 serviced, Pakistan had its fleet unserviceable the entire 90s, which bit them in the a$$ in 99. When they made amends they had to give up nuclear delivery. Egypt even though they have diversified their fleet in recent years have been careful about not getting too hostile with the west and Israel, a major factor why camp David worked.

Personally I think Argentina is doomed to be a basket case and it’s not worth the effort but making a country dependent on the US for weapons is a pretty tried and true way of influencing there foreign policy.

[weasel1962]

its a win win. looking at how Indonesia managed refurbished f-16s, its a cost effective way of keeping a fighter fleet for a cash strapped country.

milel has already thrown his lot into the American side. He's pulled Argentina out of bricks. There is not going to be a Falklands II.

Denmark has effectively got rid of its F-16 fleet with the remaining donated to Ukraine.

[Corsair1963]

Actually, in the case of Argentina I think something like the M-346FA would have been a far better option. It would be brand new and cheap to both own and operate.

Offers good performance and can be equipped with advanced weapons.

https://www.aljundi.ae/en/profile/aerma ... k-fighter/

[ricnunes]

@viperzerof-2 and weasel1962,

I hope you're right!