Denmark delivers first F-16B training airframe to Argentina for pilot and crew instruction.

On December 19, 2024, the Defense Minister of Argentina, Luis Petri, announced that the Argentine Air Force (FAA) took delivery of its first F-16B MLU Block 10 aircraft, a static training unit, which arrived at Tandil Air Base. The disassembled airframe was transported aboard a KC-130H Hercules aircraft, while an earlier flight with Hercules TC-66 carried additional components, including a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 engine. This delivery marks the first F-16 in Argentina, intended for ground-based pilot and crew training. The unit is not operational and will not be used in flight.
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The F-16B training unit will support training programs to familiarize personnel with the F-16 subsystems before the operational F-16 fighter jets are integrated into the Argentine Air Force. (Picture source: Argentine MoD)

This aircraft is part of an agreement between Argentina and Denmark signed in April 2024. It includes 24 F-16A/B Block 15 operational aircraft equipped with Mid-Life Upgrades (MLU). These operational fighters, not expected until December 2025, will be delivered in batches of six. The first batch will include four F-16Bs and two F-16As, transported from Denmark to Argentina with support from U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft. Danish pilots will conduct the ferry flights.

To facilitate the integration of the F-16s, Argentine personnel were deployed to Denmark’s Defense Maintenance Service in Aalborg in late October 2024. Their tasks included cataloging components, ensuring compliance with import regulations, and overseeing the preparation of the cargo for transport. Additional tools and equipment were shipped by sea to Buenos Aires and are destined for the VI Air Brigade at Tandil. Danish and Argentine personnel will collaborate to reassemble the training aircraft using specialized tools delivered in containers.

The arrival of this training unit represents a preparatory step for the deployment of operational F-16s. The FAA is establishing a dedicated training and maintenance center at Tandil Air Base to support these aircraft. This facility will train personnel and maintain the operational fleet once it begins arriving. The FAA is also negotiating the acquisition of a Boeing KC-135R aerial refueling aircraft to extend the range of the F-16s, which use a rigid boom refueling system.

The F-16B training unit has been modified to serve as an instructional tool for ground crew and pilots. It was disassembled in Denmark before being shipped and will be reassembled in Argentina. The unit will support training programs to familiarize personnel with the F-16 system before the operational aircraft are integrated into the FAA.

The operational F-16s acquired by Argentina under this agreement are equipped with Mid-Life Upgrades designed to extend their service life and improve their capabilities. These upgrades include enhanced avionics, structural reinforcements, and compatibility with modern weaponry such as AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and precision-guided bombs. The MLU program was developed to maintain the aircraft’s competitiveness in modern air combat scenarios and has been implemented by other nations, including Denmark, Norway, and Belgium.

Argentina’s acquisition of the F-16s follows years of evaluations and negotiations. Earlier offers from other nations, including China’s JF-17 fighters, were ultimately not pursued. The agreement with Denmark was made possible through U.S. approval and financing, aligning with Argentina’s strategic partnerships. This procurement is classified as a military secret under decree 370/24, which required special measures during the handling and transport of materials.

The F-16 program also involves upgrades to Tandil Air Base to accommodate the new aircraft and the creation of a comprehensive training and logistics system. The operational F-16s are expected to improve the FAA’s capabilities, enabling beyond-visual-range air combat, precision strikes, and integration into modern combat networks via the Link-16 system. These developments will support the FAA’s broader efforts to modernize its air fleet and address evolving regional security needs.

The training unit’s arrival is the result of preparatory efforts by FAA and Danish personnel, which included cataloging and preparing equipment for transport. The operational aircraft, once delivered, will be integrated gradually, with the first six jets expected in late 2025. The integration process includes the establishment of training programs, maintenance systems, and logistical infrastructure to ensure readiness for operational deployment.