President Javier Milei hails the arrival of six F-16 fighter jets, marking a major step in modernising Argentina’s air force and deepening US defence ties.
RÍO CUARTO: President Javier Milei on Saturday hailed the arrival of Argentina’s first six F-16 fighter jets purchased from Denmark.
He described the US-built aircraft as “guardian angels” that will strengthen the country’s armed forces.
The jets are among 24 used supersonic fighters bought last year from Copenhagen for roughly USD 300 million. Milei’s government has called it Argentina’s most important military acquisition in 50 years.
“After a long wait, I finally have behind me the first six F-16 fighter jets,” Milei said on the tarmac of a military base in Río Cuarto.
“Thanks to this significant investment, we will considerably strengthen our air force.”
Following a ceremony, Milei boarded one of the F-16 Fighting Falcons and was seen smiling in the cockpit. He was joined by his sister Karina Milei, who serves as general secretary of the presidency, and Defence Minister Luis Petri.
The aircraft had flown low over Argentina’s capital before landing in Río Cuarto, some 600 kilometres west of Buenos Aires.
“Hundreds of thousands of Argentines were able to look up and see their guardian angels in the sky for the first time,” the president said.
When the sale was announced in April 2024, Argentina’s defence ministry said the modernised Danish F-16s would form “the backbone of Argentina’s air defence system.”
They replace Argentina’s French Mirage jets, the last of which were retired in 2017 after four decades of service.
The US administration of President Donald Trump, a Milei ally, approved the transfer of the F-16s.
The US Embassy in Buenos Aires said the jet acquisition marks “a major step in the country’s efforts to modernise its air capabilities and deepen defence cooperation with the United States.”
It said the delivery was the first of four batches. Six additional aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to Argentina each December through 2028.
