Taking advantage of the framework provided by the International Exhibition of Technology for Defense and Disaster Prevention (SITDEF 2025), Lockheed Martin officially presented its proposal based on the F-16 Block 70/72 to equip the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) with a new multirole fighter. The U.S.-made combat aircraft is one of the shortlisted candidates currently being evaluated by FAP authorities.
The F-16 Block 70/72 is, to date, the most modern version of the Fighting Falcon, produced and manufactured by Lockheed Martin at its plant in Greenville, South Carolina. Various air forces around the world are adopting this variant of the Viper, either as newly built aircraft or through modernization packages.
To name just a few examples, Lockheed Martin has advanced in the delivery of new Vipers from its Greenville plant to equip the air forces of Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and more recently, Taiwan—a country that has also completed the Block 70 modernization of 139 of its aircraft in service.
However, Lockheed Martin’s proposal must compete with those presented by Dassault Aviation, based on the Rafale, and Saab, with the JAS-39 Gripen E. Nonetheless, as reported before and during SITDEF, the decision on the future fighter for the FAP appears to be narrowing down to a contest between Lockheed Martin and the Swedish firm.
This is due to the fact that, unlike what was observed at the international exhibition held in Lima from April 24 to 28 with Saab and Lockheed Martin, Dassault Aviation did not present a stand to promote its proposal, raising doubts about the French company’s chances of gaining traction in the Peruvian Air Force’s final considerations.
*Cover image used for illustrative purposes.
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