The United States government has authorized the possible sale of up to twelve (12) new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to equip the Peruvian Air Force (FAP). The operation, valued at US$ 3.42 billion and framed within the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program, was recently notified by the State Department to the U.S. Congress for approval.
According to the latest reports from ministerial and military authorities, the Peruvian Air Force is in the final stage of selecting what will be its future multirole fighter. The candidates under evaluation include Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen E/F, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 – Viper.
Although an official announcement was expected by the end of July, it did not take place. Among the most recent developments, the visit made in August by Defense Minister Walter Astudillo and Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer to Sweden and France stands out.
As has been revealed, the aforementioned European countries have been redoubling their efforts and improving their proposals to secure the selection. In this regard, it became known that Saab and the Swedish government added to their offer for the Gripen E/F the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft, as this capability had been requested by the Commander of the Peruvian Air Force, General of the Air Carlos Enrique Chávez Cateriano.
However, the other competitor, the U.S. firm Lockheed Martin, is also seeking to position the F-16 Block 70 to meet the requirements outlined by the FAP. Thus, based on what was disclosed today, September 16, by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the government of Peru requested the purchase of twelve (12) new fighters, of which ten (10) correspond to the single-seat F-16C variant and two (2) to the two-seat F-16D.
The package, valued at US$ 3.42 billion, also includes the provision of fourteen (14) F110-GE-129 engines, along with the corresponding set of spare parts, upgrades, and manufacturer support.
In terms of weaponry, the Vipers that Peru could acquire would be equipped with twelve (12) AIM-120C-8 long-range air-to-air missiles, the most advanced version of the missile available for export customers, complemented by twelve (12) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, along with M61A1 cannons and LAU-129 guided rocket launchers.
In addition, and in line with the variant authorized for Peru, the package features AN/APG-83 AESA radars, AN/ALQ-254 Viper Shield electronic warfare systems or equivalent, as well as AN/AAQ-28 Litening targeting pods.
The State Department indicated: “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important partner which constitutes a force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in South America.”
It added: “The proposed sale will enhance the Peruvian Air Force’s ability to control its sovereign airspace, defend its territorial borders, and conduct precision air-to-ground attack operations in support of ground forces in counter-narcotics and counterterrorism operations. The sale will also strengthen Peru’s military partnership with the United States on an enduring long-term basis. Peru will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
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$3.34 bn ?
This is a joke. For very old design of a single engine fighter?
I agree with Peter. Way over priced. What is really going on here. Where is the money really going?
It includes weapons and spare parts and probably training. It’s WAY more advanced than buying a car.