Argentina Selects ex-Danish F-16s over India's Tejas and China's JF-17

Buenos Aires, Argentina – In a significant move to bolster its air defence capabilities, Argentina has chosen to purchase 24 ex-Danish F-16A/B MLU fighter jets. The $650 million USD deal marks a preference for the proven F-16 platform over offers for India's LCA-Tejas and China's JF-17 Thunder.

The decision highlights the critical role of both cost-effectiveness and reputation in major defence procurements. Argentina secures a substantial upgrade to its aging fighter fleet at a markedly lower price point.

While the Tejas and JF-17 represent capable modern aircraft, the F-16's combat history and widespread use offer Argentina a familiar and well-regarded platform.

The significantly lower price was a primary factor. At approximately $14 million per unit, the ex-Danish F-16s offered substantial savings compared to the new-build Tejas and JF-17 fighters.

In addition to the aircraft, the $650 million package includes a comprehensive arms suite worth $312 million, likely featuring advanced air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM.

Industry analysts suggest that the choice of the F-16 platform may also signal closer ties between the United States and Argentina. The F-16, a staple of the US Air Force and numerous allies, provides a degree of interoperability and offers ease of maintenance due to its widespread use.

While India and China continue to make strides in the defence export market, this decision demonstrates the enduring appeal of established Western platforms like the F-16.

The combination of price, reputation, and potential for cooperation with NATO countries likely made the ex-Danish F-16s the most compelling offer for Argentina.

 

[Avada kedavra]

HALs shameless run continues.
No one wants to buy it's stuff. It's indefinite delays over everything.

 

[amerjit johal]

Tejas was NEVER a strong contender
It was always going to be used F16’s
This is a problem that Tejas will face all the time

 

[amerjit johal]

India did sell to ecuador, but HAL screwed up there big time. India is selling aircraft to guyana over there. Similarly, we can target other countries. Countries like columbia dont like america, maybe they can go for india.

Bro let’s be realistic
Tejas is not going to be bought by anyone
When there are other viable options available

 

[beencensured]

when you can't deliver, you shouldn't dream.

I agree on only part the Israeli radar choice put Tejas mk1a development delay by a year. But Bstards in MOD and IAF failed to order Tejas FOC which could have been later updated to higher standards. This is not the fault of HAL manufacturing but near sightedness of IAF and MOD.

Further I will state Tejas navy would have been more better then Rafale as it is not meant for STOBAR operations. It in fact is worse choice then mig-29k. People who do not know Tejas navy was planned earlier to be a bigger aircraft with Ge 414 engine that would have lifted a much higher payload and would have been comparable to Tejas mk2 in features. Rafale m is a six-billion-dollar waste that would be more beneficial for Airforce then NAVY as it can lift only 3.5 ton payload.

 

[desigandu]

In my opinion HAL (till we operationalize and mass produce Tejas-Mk2s) forget about exports and try and solve the bottlenecks for IAF...Once we have these in place we can relook at exports of Tejas-Mk1As/2s etc..., else it is a distraction...Also Kaveri-2 and new 130KN engine needs to become final and operational...Of course exports can provide scale, but till we have solved our supply chain, capacity etc it is a waste of energy.

 

[beencensured]

Good for them. Seriously. If the Argentine Air Force can utilise these jets well for the next 20 years or so, this is an excellent solution for them on a tight budget.

F-16 do not have a great record.

 

[amerjit johal]

Called it long time ago

So did I
Tejas was never a contender
Argie top brass only came for the samosas and chai

 

[amerjit johal]

F-16 do not have a great record.

Considering the numbers manufactured / lakhs of flying hours
Years in service with so many Air Forces
They have a superb record

 

[beencensured]

makes sense, given F16s are proven war machines...
Tejas is Indian hype, JF17 is pak/china hype.

Nope till Tejas is inducted in numbers, and IAF and NAVY give up their foreign aircrafts dreams then why would ANY BUY Something of yours when you only have faith in foreign junk. This recent accident of Tejas seems to be sabotage and show ge engines are flawed.

 

[beencensured]

Considering the numbers manufactured / lakhs of flying hours
Years in service with so many Air Forces
They have a superb record

They fall out of the sky all the time, but USA has faith in their stuff and promotes it.

 

[Sivasankaran Ramaswamy]

I don't think there is a connection in the Tejas recent accident and Argentina's purchase of F16 fighter jets, really

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Bro let’s be realistic
Tejas is not going to be bought by anyone
When there are other viable options available

Lets hold judgement for now. In few years time, production of tejas mk1a will be smoothened out and we will be sending it to air shows etc. Once its capability and cost are well known, we should see orders. It takes time for a jet to build reputation. F-50, jf-17, f-16 didnt get export orders immediately. It took some time.

 

[amerjit johal]

I don't think there is a connection in the Tejas recent accident and Argentina's purchase of F16 fighter jets, really

OMG
It all makes sense
LM sabotaging Tejas to make sure F16 gets the order
Never trust the Yankies

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

forget about exports and try and solve the bottlenecks for IAF.

The only bottleneck of HAL is "Government ownership". Resolve that bottleneck and HAL will soon be a international player in the field of aerospace.

 

[sunilanalysis]

Nope till Tejas is inducted in numbers, and IAF and NAVY give up their foreign aircrafts dreams then why would ANY BUY Something of yours when you only have faith in foreign junk. This recent accident of Tejas seems to be sabotage and show ge engines are flawed.

Its usual, blame is put on someone else before proof. Blaming GE even before official report is out...
Its not about foreign or indian, what is proven in battle matters...
Was Tejas proven in battle ? no
Was JF17 proven in battle ? no.

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

A win win move for the USA & UK , No country will say no to such a good offer... Currently these jets with A/B variants are technologically behind Jf-17 and Tejas and have little service life left

By the time Argentina wants to replace these jets , they would like to replace these jets with other US made jets in future.. Weapons package would be used on both platforms.

 

[NSR]

I wrote many times that HAL Tejas IA will not have chance against American F-16s or South Korean F/A-50s.

USA will not let it happen as it wants to control the international armament business for its own interests and economic gains.
F-16 is manufactured by Lockheed Martin and F/A-50 was developed with the help of LM too.

While competing for exports is a noble idea, HAL is wasting its time and resources, and abusing the Indian citizens and posters here with tall tales.

Stop the nonsense and get on with your delivery milestones for IAF. That is their utmost priority.

 

[BCharlie]

Good for them. Seriously. If the Argentine Air Force can utilise these jets well for the next 20 years or so, this is an excellent solution for them on a tight budget.

Good for them ... just sit back, relax, watch & enjoy the show.. Even brake pads will be sold by US at a price & condition that Argens brains will come to senses. Americans will finally take over Argens.. The Chinese lost because their ultimate objective was to have air & naval base there. No way US would allow that.. At the end of the day US will control South America .. nobody else will. So, what chance we, Tejas or etc etc, we have ??

 

[BCharlie]

Columbia is talking to US and Sweden right now, they originally talked with France for buying Rafale but after hearing the price they got scared and backed off, according to the latest news, it looks like they might tilt towards F16.

US needs to sell their old junk at salvage value .. what best than bunch of Latin American & some African countries to make America be their god-father.

 

[Primary Goal]

F-16 do not have a great record.

10000x better record than any aircraft produced by India. F-16 is one of the greatest fighters of all time

 

[Primary Goal]

No, the aircraft are quite possibly being subsidised by the Americans to keep China out. Moreover, the airframes, although refurbished, will still be old ones. Regardless, the Argentine Air Force should be able to use them for the next 20 years or so.

Nothing is subsidized by US. F-16 A/B MLU are sold for $10-20 million for a decade

 

[Pad UwU]

I knew this would happen at the beginning of the procurement of Argentina

 

[beencensured]

Ukraine should have Ink this Cheap Deal, Lost a opportunity. Damn Cheap.

Ukraine is bankrupt and can't buy anything for the without begging and rant by Zeltler

 

[Ajath]

F-16 do not have a great record.

It has one of the most successful operational history and also widely exported jet. Its upgraded versions are still getting orders.

 

[beencensured]

I knew this would happen at the beginning of the procurement of Argentina

This was the reason America sabotage the LCA with its ge404 engine failure.

 

[beencensured]

It has one of the most successful operational history and also widely exported jet. Its upgraded versions are still getting orders.

You should read why it was not selected by INdian Air Force during MMRCA selection which selected the Rafale. Yes, it was a good design in the 1970's , but terribly outdated now.

 

[beencensured]

Its usual, blame is put on someone else before proof. Blaming GE even before official report is out...
Its not about foreign or indian, what is proven in battle matters...
Was Tejas proven in battle ? no
Was JF17 proven in battle ? no.

If you heard the statement of pilot the engine failed, even the video suggest that, so how not to blame when the engines are relatively new.

 

[beencensured]

land in ukraine already being sold off. You can read about it online. American billionaires and hedge funds are buying the land. This "land reform" was one of the conditions for IMF loans. I heard a famous commodity investor say that ukrainian land is the best investment opportunity in the world right now. Throughout history, after large wars, land appreciates in value very much and those who can get it for cheap during or before war, make huge amounts of money.

This war is expanding not contracting. If the Jew Zelinsky could declare peace which is absolutely not in their religion.

 

[beencensured]

Its usual, blame is put on someone else before proof. Blaming GE even before official report is out...
Its not about foreign or indian, what is proven in battle matters...
Was Tejas proven in battle ? no
Was JF17 proven in battle ? no.

Why then a Mig21 is shooting down such a proven platform even during in air exercise with USA?

 

[Ajath]

You should read why it was not selected by INdian Air Force during MMRCA selection which selected the Rafale. Yes, it was a good design in the 1970's , but terribly outdated now.

F16 VIPER is the latest variant and Taiwanese Airforce has placed significant quantities of VIPER. As far why IAF did not show much interest in F21 ( Indian specific F16 )

1. It's a single engine. IAF offlate has switched to twin engine jet.
2. PAF is already using F16 and also an apprehension whether Indian weapons can be Integrated to this platform.

And most important , I think neither IAF nor India are confident to go in for US fighter jet even though India has ordered Apache helicopters, C17s , 130 Super Hercules and now MQ 9 UCAV order is in the pipeline.
Last but not the least the defence planners of Turkey , , Taiwan are not dumb to go in for an obsolete aerial platform for nothing.