Río Cuarto Air Base, Argentina; October 2026: Fulfilling a long-standing aspiration and in accordance with the institution's Peace Condor program, the Argentine Air Force (FAA) received the second batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, which arrived at the Río Cuarto Air Base in the province of Córdoba. With this delivery, the FAA now has 12 of the 24 aircraft purchased to enhance its supersonic capabilities.
The Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Carlos A. Presti, the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Marcelo Alejandro Dalle Nogare, and the heads of the three branches of the armed forces were present. Also participating were the US Ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas, and veterans of the Falklands War. All were received by the Chief of the Air Force, Brigadier General Gustavo Javier Valverde.
The aircraft that arrived in the country were 04 single-seat F-16AM fighter jets, with registration numbers M-1011, M-1013, M-1018, and M-1024, and 02 two-seat F-16 trainers, M-1001 and M-1002 . The transfer operation from distant Denmark involved a four-engine KC-130H Hercules TC-69, an Argentine Air Force Boeing 737, and 03 USAF KC-135R Stratotankers, which enabled the transatlantic crossing with stopovers in Spain and Brazil, although with a slight delay due to severe storms. This second ferry flight, consisting of the 06 fighter jets, covered more than 7,000 miles and required ten refuelling engagements per F-16 with the USAF KC-135Rs.
Brigadier General Valverde stated: “Today, we proudly celebrate the fourth milestone, with 06 new F-16 aircraft joining the ranks of the Argentine Air Force, joining the Ministry of Defence, and joining them to defend and fly the skies of the Argentine Republic”. He thanked the personnel of the Peace Condor Program and the rest of the institution. “Giving everything for our Air Force, giving everything for the defence of our country, giving everything for the Argentine Republic”.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence declared: “Today, 06 F-16s are arriving in the country, and this time the image signifies something different. When the first aircraft arrived, we received platforms; today, we are building a capability. That is the decisive difference. A weapons system only acquires true value when it is backed by doctrine”, stated Lieutenant General Presti .
It is now indicated that the remaining twelve aircraft to complete the contract will arrive during 2027.While reconstruction work continues at the VI Brigade in Tandil, which will take at least all of next year, the aircraft will remain at the Rio Cuarto Material Area. This step implies strict adherence to the established plan, which will result in the country having 24 suitably updated combat aircraft with technologically significant weaponry, enabling the recovery of an adequate defence system.
Team Maverick.
