First batch of Argentina's F-16 fighter jets due to arrive from Denmark

A first squadron of F-16 fighters purchased from Denmark are due to land in Argentina this week, with a landing scheduled for the Higueras Air Force base near Río Cuarto, Córdoba, according to the reporting by the Noticias Argentinas news agency.

The six F-16 AM/BM MLU (Mid-Life Upgrade) fighters will be immediately  incorporated into Argentina's Air Force fleet.

The jets are part of a US$300-million order of 24 planes agreed by the Argentine government with Denmark back in April. 

Argentina says that the fighter jets will be the backbone of its air defence system for decades to come.

The aircraft left Denmark Tuesday with technical stops and refuelling in Europe en route, leaving behind Zaragoza and the Canary Islands, prior to the Atlantic crossing with their first stop in the Americas in Natal, Brazil.

Since their itinerary was a military movement of high logistical complexity, it was not possible to trace their route from there although the government sources pointed to a “satisfactory advance.”

The aircraft were accompanied by a Hércules C130, a Boeing 737-700 and a KC-135R Stratotanker provided by the United States Air Force for refuelling in the air.

The transfer of the squadron was handled by a mixed crew of Danes and Argentines to guarantee refuelling in the air during the intercontinental flight.

The AMRC (Área Material Río Cuarto) will be its first centre of operations and the base where the transition into the F-16 arms system will be initiated early next year. Significant works to recondition runways, hangars and braking systems in order to receive the aircraft have been carried out at this place.

Once the initial phase of training and the total reconditioning of its installations has been concluded, the VI Air Brigade will be the definitive base of the 24 F-16 fighters, resuming its historic role as the aviation base for supersonic aircraft.

Authorities in Río Cuarto authorities confirmed an official ceremony presenting the F-16s is scheduled for Saturday. President Javier Milei, outgoing Defence Minister Luis Petri and his successor, Lieutenant-General Carlos Presti, are all expected to attend.

Las Higueras Mayor Gianfranco Lucchesi informed local newspaper El Puntal that the town hall will clear a special space so that the community can observe the arrival of the aircraft.

“The F-16s will arrive on December 5 and on December 7 there will be a ceremony with [President] Milei. We will set up a stand in the Corralón so that people can see,” pointed out the municipal politician.

Apart from their arrival and the Río Cuarto ceremony, the F-16s are likely to fly over Avenida de Mayo and Casa Rosada on both weekend days.

Later they will continue their itinerary next Tuesday to Mendoza, San Luis and the city of Córdoba as part of the agenda of presenting the aircraft in different regions of the country.

– TIMES/NA