Denmark Signs Deal with Argentina to Sell 24 F-16 Aircraft

Denmark’s Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, and his Argentine counterpart, Luis Alfonso Petri, convened at Skrydstrup Air Force Base today to formalize the sale of Danish F-16 combat aircraft.

"In Denmark, we are about to change the generation of our fleet of combat aircraft with new F-35 aircraft. Therefore, I am very pleased that the Danish F-16 aircraft, which have served us well over the years and have been thoroughly maintained and technologically updated, are now being used in the Argentine Air Force. With the deal, we are strengthening Danish-Argentinian defense cooperation, while Argentina will become part of the global F-16 family," says Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

The sale of Danish fighter aircraft to Argentina has been carried out in close coordination with the American government, which has given permission for the sale of the American-produced F-16 aircraft.

"In connection with the trade, we have had exemplary cooperation with both the Argentine Air Force, the Argentine government, and the American government. With the trade, we also strengthen our defense cooperation with the USA," says Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen.

The F-16 jet purchase puts to rest hopes of China and India to sell the JF-17 and LCA Tejas aircraft, respectively, to Argentina.

The sale, valued at over $300 million, will reportedly be financed with loans from banks and the U.S. and includes aircraft, weapon systems, and other equipment from U.S. manufacturers.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency will oversee the transfer of weapon systems like AIM-120 missiles through the Foreign Military Sales program. Denmark’s Acquisition and Logistics Organisation will handle the F-16 transfer, and the Argentine military’s logistics directorate will supervise procurement.