After successfully completing a technical stop at Natal Air Base in northern Brazil, the first six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters of the Argentine Air Force arrived at Área Material Río Cuarto, in the province of Córdoba, marking a turning point for the country’s combat aviation. Amid a historic process of modernization of Argentina’s air power, the arrival of these aircraft consolidates a long-awaited strategic advancement for the institution, incorporating capabilities that once again place Argentina among the select group of nations operating a supersonic fighter fleet.
After years of waiting, the incorporation of four two-seat F-16BM (M1004, M1005, M1007, and M1008) and two single-seat F-16AM (M1009 and M1020) ends a decade without aircraft of this type, following the retirement of the Mirage fighters in November 2015. The arrival of the F-16s not only represents a technological and operational leap, but also a symbolic milestone for Air Force personnel—especially for young pilots who will begin training on a new generation of fighters. With this acquisition, the institution regains its supersonic capability and repositions itself as a key actor within the regional defense framework.
The transfer of the F-16s from Denmark was supported by three KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft, tail numbers 63-8034, 63-8031, and 60-0328, belonging to the United States Air Force, which provided logistical support and carried out aerial refueling during the oceanic crossing and their transit from northern Brazil to Argentine territory. Thanks to this deployment, the safety and flight autonomy of the new fighters were ensured, completing one of the most complex and significant air operations of recent years for the Argentine Air Force.
The Argentine Air Force also supported the journey with its own assets, including the Boeing 737 T-99 “Islas Malvinas” and the KC-130H Hercules TC-69, which fulfilled logistical, coordination, and search-and-rescue (SAR) functions. This joint effort reflects the high level of planning and coordination achieved among the institution’s various units, consolidating an operation that symbolizes the rebirth of Argentina’s combat aviation.
The official ceremony to welcome the F-16s will finally take place on Saturday, December 6 at 9:00 a.m., instead of Sunday the 7th as originally planned. The event will be led by the President of the Nation, Javier Milei, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Luis Petri, and the highest authorities of the Argentine Armed Forces.
As part of the welcoming activities, the Ministry of Defense also confirmed that the aerial display over the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 6. According to the official program, the F-16s will take off again from Río Cuarto to perform a low flyover at approximately 2,000 feet, following a route that will include the Casa Rosada, Avenida de Mayo, Plaza Miserere, and an additional pass over Avenida 9 de Julio on a south–north heading. This flight will allow the Argentine public to witness, for the first time in national airspace, the new supersonic fighters that will shape the future of the country’s air defense.
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