In November 2023, the Chilean government officially announced the signing of a contract with the U.S. company Lockheed Martin to modernize the Chilean Air Force’s F-16 MLU fighter aircraft. The program, valued at $177 million, involves an upgrade to the so-called “Standard Tape M” (M 6.6) configuration, featuring substantial improvements in avionics, communication systems, radar capabilities, and weaponry.
The modernization process will be carried out in stages both in the United States — specifically in Fort Worth, Texas, and Greenville, South Carolina — and in Chile. According to the preliminary schedule, the project is expected to be completed by 2032, although this timeframe may include extended maintenance and technical support services.
Despite the strategic importance of the program, the Chilean Air Force has not made any public statements regarding the process or provided official information about its scope, timeline, or specific features. This lack of information has led to speculation among defense analysts and enthusiasts, especially considering that the modernization could include advanced radar systems such as the AN/APG-83 (AESA), a high-performance active electronically scanned array fire control radar with a range of 230 miles.
The contract marks a new milestone in the trajectory of Chile’s F-16s, which previously underwent a modernization in 2012. That upgrade involved the Block 15 models acquired from the Netherlands, leaving the platform prepared for future enhancements such as those now being implemented.
In parallel, the Chilean case can be compared to that of Romania, which acquired the same platform from Norway and is also progressing with a similar upgrade program with Lockheed Martin. Both processes reinforce the status of the F-16 as a relevant, adaptable, and key platform for air defense in the regional environment.
The importance of this modernization is vital to maintaining a technological edge against potential threats and ensuring interoperability with strategic allies. However, the lack of official information could lead to uncertainty or misinterpretations about the true scope of the program.
For now, the development continues quietly. And although the timeline points to a completion toward the end of the decade, the eyes of the defense world will remain alert to any signals coming from the Chilean Air Force.
Photo credits: Chilean Air Force.
Original article written in Spanish by Rodolfo Neira Gachelin.
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