Key Points
- Argentina acquired its first six F-16 fighter jets acquired from Denmark, marking the Air Force’s return to supersonic functionality.
- President Javier Milei and Minister Luis Petri formally offered the plane following a flyover that drew massive public crowds.
Six F-16 Fighting Falcons touched down in Argentina on Saturday morning, marking a significant milestone within the modernization of the Argentine Air Force and the nation’s return to supersonic fight aviation after greater than a decade.
The arrival was confirmed by the Argentine Air Force, which said, “Mission achieved: the F-16s have landed on Argentine soil.” The plane flew in formation over Buenos Aires earlier than arriving at Área Material Río IV, the place they have been greeted with a conventional water cannon salute.
“Today, six F-16 plane flew by way of our skies for the primary time and arrived at Área Material Río IV,” the Air Force stated in an official put up. “They have been welcomed with the standard water arc.”
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Thousands of spectators, together with households, youngsters, and veterans, gathered throughout Buenos Aires to witness the low-altitude flyby of the brand new jets. “From very early, a crowd watched them within the sky. Families, youngsters, grandparents — all noticed them fly so shut, felt the sound of their engines, and shared one thing distinctive,” the Ministry of War stated in a press release. “It was a morning of celebration, a historic day for the nation.”
The jets, just lately acquired from Denmark beneath a government-to-government settlement facilitated by the United States, have been formally offered by Argentine President Javier Milei and Minister of War Luis Petri.
“Today, Argentina as soon as once more has supersonic fighter jets,” the ministry stated. “A significant achievement of President Milei, who spearheaded crucial army funding in many years to equip our Air Force and defend the Argentine individuals with these new guardians of nationwide airspace.”
President Milei and Minister Petri congratulated the pilots for his or her efficiency in the course of the long-distance ferry flight from Denmark to Argentina, in addition to for the precision flyby over the capital metropolis. “An extraordinary demonstration of capabilities,” the assertion added.
U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Marc Stanley additionally welcomed the supply, calling it “a historic milestone” for the Argentine Air Force. In a put up on social media, he wrote: “The F-16s have arrived in Argentina! It is a proud second to have fun the arrival of the primary six F-16s acquired from Denmark — a historic milestone for the Argentine Air Force and a transparent sign of the distinctive second in our bilateral relations.”
“This partnership strengthens regional safety, helps Argentina’s sovereignty, and reveals our shared dedication to peace and prosperity within the Western Hemisphere,” Stanley stated.
The F-16s, initially flown by the Royal Danish Air Force, have been chosen by Argentina after a multiyear course of involving bids from a number of international locations. The fleet will kind the core of Argentina’s new air protection functionality, changing getting older Mirage and A-4 plane which have lengthy struggled with restricted serviceability.
