Overview

• Argentina finalized a $300 million agreement with Denmark for 24 F-16 fighter jets, enhancing its military capabilities and regional defense posture.
• The purchase includes combat simulators, engines, and a five-year supply of spare parts, with deliveries starting in 2025.
• Argentina opted for the U.S.-made jets over Chinese JF-17s, reflecting a strategic choice influenced by U.S. interests in curbing China's reach in Latin America.
• The deal also ends a British veto on military sales to Argentina, allowing the country to bypass restrictions that had previously limited its defense acquisitions.
• Despite significant public spending cuts, the Argentine government prioritizes defense upgrades, viewing the F-16s as a deterrent amid global tensions.