Breaking Defense: " Lockheed limbo in Lima? Firm says Peru is buying F-16s, but questions remain "

 

"Lockheed limbo in Lima? Firm says Peru is buying F-16s, but questions remain"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Breaking Defense

24 April, 2026

Published: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/schrodingers-f-16s-lockheed-says-peru-is-buying-fighters-questions-remain-in-lima/

Peru's interim president indicated the deal was on hold, as the US Embassy in Lima insists at least part of it has already been signed.

WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has claimed victory in a longstanding competition to sell fighter jets to Peru, though senior officials in Lima appear to be at odds with each other over the fate of the deal.

Lockheed “welcomes the Government of Peru’s announcement to purchase 12 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft to modernize the nation’s fighter fleet and strengthen its national defense capabilities,” the American aerospace giant said in a press release on Thursday.

 

Zona Militar: "FIDAE 2026: L3Harris wants to discuss Viper Shield EW with F-16 operators" / "FIDAE 2026: L3Harris presentará el sistema de guerra electrónica Viper Shield para equipar a los F-16 de las Fuerzas Aéreas sudamericanas"

 

 "FIDAE 2026: L3Harris wants to discuss Viper Shield EW with F-16 operators"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Zona Militar

6 March, 2026

Published: https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2026/03/06/fidae-2026-l3harris-wants-to-discuss-viper-shield-ew-with-f-16-operators/

 

"FIDAE 2026: L3Harris presentará el sistema de guerra electrónica Viper Shield para equipar a los F-16 de las Fuerzas Aéreas sudamericanas"

 Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Zona Militar

6 de Marzo del 2026

Published: https://www.zona-militar.com/2026/03/06/fidae-2026-l3harris-presentara-el-sistema-de-guerra-electronica-viper-shield-para-equipar-a-los-f-16-de-las-fuerzas-aereas-sudamericanas/ 

Breaking Defense: "With Stryker deal, Argentina tightens US defense ties "

 

 "With Stryker deal, Argentina tightens US defense ties"

 Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Breaking Defense

10 July 2025

Published: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/with-stryker-deal-argentina-tightens-us-defense-ties/ 

Analysts said the deal, struck during a high-profile visit to Washington, came as Beijing also courts Buenos Aires.

WASHINGTON — During a visit to Washington, DC to meet directly with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Argentina’s defense minister Luis Petri took the opportunity to sign a letter of agreement for 8×8 M1126 Stryker infantry fighting vehicles.

Analysts said last week’s deal, along with another last year for American-made but used F-16 fighter jets, have come just in time to boost US-Argentine relations, as China looms in the background.

Breaking Defense: "South American nations add ‘upgrading air forces’ to 2025 resolutions "

 

 

"South American nations add ‘upgrading air forces’ to 2025 resolution"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Air Warfare

Breaking Defense

13 January, 2025

Published: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/south-american-nations-add-upgrading-air-forces-to-2025-resolutions/ 

As several countries pursue new fighter jets, experts told Breaking Defense it’s more about avoiding obsolescence than a southern arms race. 

WASHINGTON — In late December, the first F-16 Block 10 aircraft for Argentina’s Air Force arrived in the country in what Minister of Defense Luis Petri hailed as the “most important” acquisition since the nation’s “return to democracy” in 1982.

 

 

Shephard: "L3 Harris develops Viper Shield EW system and makes strides on DiSCO development"

 

"L3 Harris develops Viper Shield EW system and makes strides on DiSCO development"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Air Warfare

Shephard

3 January, 2025

Published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/l3-harris-develops-viper-shield-ew-system-and-makes-strides-on-disco-development/

The US tech company and defence contractor showcased its Viper Shield EW Suite and provided further details on its DiSCO platform in Washington, DC last month.

Breaking Defense: "From F-16s to NATO, Argentina’s moves tilt West, but ties to China to last "

 

"From F-16s to NATO, Argentina’s moves tilt West, but ties to China to last"

 Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Breaking Defense

25 April, 2024

Originally published: https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/from-f-16s-to-nato-argentinas-moves-tilt-west-but-ties-to-china-to-last/

There are flashpoints to watch as Argentina navigates its future between the polar attractions of Washington and Beijing, including future defense deals and a deep space facility.

WASHINGTON — The surprise decision by Argentina to seek a rare partner status with NATO, coupled with Buenos Aires’s recent choice of Dutch F-16s for its next fighter fleet over Chinese rivals, appears to have handed the West some clear victories in a tug of war with Beijing over influence in the South American nation. But analysts told Breaking Defense the game is long, and China has many cards — especially economic and commercial ones — still in hand.

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Breaking Defense: "Argentina-Denmark F-16 deal would be boon to US in South America: Analysts"

 

"Argentina-Denmark F-16 deal would be boon to US in South America: Analyst"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Breaking Defense

1 April, 2024

Originally published: https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/argentina-denmark-f-16-deal-would-be-boon-to-us-in-south-america-analysts/

The deal is likely to be a key topic of discussion as Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of US Southern Command, travels to Buenos Aires this week. 

WASHINGTON — After years of wrangling, Argentina and Denmark appear closer than ever to completing a deal for the South American nation to purchase a fleet of F-16s in what analysts said would be a boon not only for the Argentine Air Force (FAA) but for America in its competition with China across Latin America — should the deal go through.

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