The first six F-16AM/BM purchased by the Argentinian Air Force have landed at the Las Higueras air base in Argentina.
The second-hand aircraft purchased from Denmark, with the consent of the United States who originally produced them, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, stopping in Spain and at the Canary Islands, and were in-flight refueled by USAF’s KC-135 Stratotanker aircrafts.
President Javier Milei and Defense Minister Luis Petri attended the significant event, with the latter even climbing aboard an F-16AM in flight suit and helmet.
Argentina has been searching for new fighter aircraft for several years, following the retirement of the last operational Dagger and Mirage III aircraft. For quite some time, the only operational Argentine combat aircraft has been the A-4AR Fightinghawk, a plane that the FAA couldn’t even use for air police missions.
A solution has been found by purchasing 24 F-16AM/BM from Denmark plus another specimen not in flying condition. It was donated by the Danish Air Force for the Argentinian personnel to familiarize themselves with the American plane.
F-16AM/BM update by Terma A/S
Before the aircraft delivery to the FAA, they have been overhauled and updated, with the removal and replacement of obsolete parts.
The Danish Terma A/S handles the hardware and software upgrade of the F-16s for the Argentine Air Force (FAA), under the guidance of Lockheed Martin, the aircraft’s manufacturer. As part of this upgrade, Terma A/S installs advanced systems such as ACMDS (Advanced Countermeasures Dispenser System), PIDS (Pylon Integrated Dispensing System), ECIPS (Electronic Combat Integrated Pylon System), and AAMS (Audio Management System) to enhance pilot awareness, survival, and to reduce workload.
These systems provide warnings, signals, and radio messages in a 360-degree representation to improve communication and situational awareness for pilots, and provide protection during operational missions. Moreover, the anticipated updates include active and electronic noise reduction to reduce stress and fatigue of pilots during missions.
Terma A/S also provides mission planning tools, ground support equipment, and engineering assistance. These contributions are essential to ensure that the delivered F-16 jets are fully mission ready and fit the operational needs of the FAA.
Weaponry provided by the United States
The United States provides a substantial amount of armory to the ‘new’ Argentine fighter bombers, including air-to-air missiles AIM-120 C-8 Advanced Medium Range (AMRAAM), general purpose bombs MK-82 500 pound bombs, and laser-guided bomb kits GBU-12 Paveway II 500 pound.
Other available weaponry includes the AIM-9L/M Sidewinder missiles and Israeli Pythons, as well as the 20×102 mm ammunition for the M60A1 Vulcan cannon that comes with aircraft. In anticipation of the F-16AM’s delivery, the Las Higueras air base underwent significant infrastructure upgrade to enable optimal use of the combat aircraft by personnel.
The aircraft were employed in a ceremonial flyover of the capital Buenos Aires with a passage above the Casa Rosada, President Milei’s official residence.
Photo credit @Argentinian Air Force
