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.

 

[beencensured]

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.

Turkey is making Kaan, and South Korea its KFX fighter for reason best known to them having the ability to buy the f-16. Now, you spin but F-16 performance was pathetic to other fighters in MMRCA tender as could not sense store, took too much time to service, inability to perform in Leh and many other points. Further F-16 had lost out to mig21s in exercises with America, and Pakistan lost an f-16 to mig 21 after Balakot.

But the 9:1 kill ratio achieved by Indians pilots against USAF fighters during the Cope India 04

Cope India 2005 saw the U.S. Air Force deploy several F-16s that operated also mixed up with IAF Su-30MKIs (and not only against them). Nevertheless the results of the drills were much similar to those of the previous year, with Indian pilots able to win most of the engagements.

The two most formidable IAF aircraft proved to be the MiG-21 Bison, an upgraded version of the Russian-made baseline MiG-21, and the Su-30MK Flanker, also made in Russia,” Snodgrass explained to AW&ST. Low radar visibility, instantaneous turn rate, acceleration and the helmet mounted sight combined with high-off-boresight R-73 air-to-air missiles were among the factors that made the upgraded MiG-21 a deadly adversary for the U.S. F-15s.

 

[sunilanalysis]

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

Mig21 shooting F16 is Indian claim and hypothesis, unless proven with facts than mere words...
Only proofs matter in world.
Similar to PAF shooting Su30 is claim and hypothesis, so is IAF shooting F16.

Abhinandan firing of missile does not mean target hit... F16s or any fighter jet has counter measures against IR... Especially after Ukraine war, hard to believe Sukhois..

 

[sunilanalysis]

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.

One thing I noticed for sure, is pilot ejected bit early ... ITs possible his statement is correct. GE engines are not fool-proof, there will be failures at times...
Here the topic is battle worthiness, than reliability of engines, platform in peace time.