As the arrival date of the first F-16AM/BM fighters on Argentine soil draws near, the Argentine Air Force has been moving forward with preparations for the reception and integration of the new Weapons System. Along with the efforts recorded in infrastructure upgrades and enhancements at Área Material Río Cuarto and the VI Air Brigade in Tandil, as well as pilot, crew, and ground personnel training, it is also worth mentioning the establishment of a supplier network to provide sustainment through services and equipment for the platform. To the companies from the United States and Denmark currently involved in the Peace Condor Program, Israeli company Elbit Systems could potentially be added in the future.
As has been detailed, the incorporation of the F-16 into the Argentine Air Force in particular, and its integration into the Nation’s Military Instrument as a whole, stands as one of the most significant efforts and investments in decades. This is also reflected in the creation of an international supplier network participating in the program, such as Lockheed Martin and Top ACES from the United States, while in Denmark—the country that sold the fighter aircraft to Argentina—companies such as Terma and IFAD are involved, the latter providing training and simulation solutions.
According to reports, Israeli company Elbit Systems—currently working with the Argentine Army on the modernization of the TAM (Tanque Argentino Mediano) to the “TAM 2C-A2” standard—recently presented its capabilities and solutions for the F-16 platform to personnel involved in the Argentine Air Force’s F-16 Program.
It should be noted that Israeli companies such as Elbit have decades of accumulated experience with the F-16, a fighter that remains one of the main aerial assets of the Israeli Air Force, even being equipped with long-range air-to-surface weaponry such as Rampage missiles, deployed from F-16I Sufa aircraft.
In the case of Elbit Systems, one of Israel’s leading defense companies, it is important to highlight its capabilities and solutions in the field of electronic warfare, countermeasure systems, and self-protection, with which it equips Israeli Air Force F-16s—solutions tested in highly contested and complex environments. The company also provides upgrade services and avionics equipment.
Although the meeting was exploratory, the presentation made by Elbit Systems underscores the growing international interest generated by the Peace Condor Program, which is key to building a solid supplier network that will enable the Argentine Air Force to operate its F-16 fighter aircraft throughout the coming years and decades.
Photographs used for illustration purposes.
*Original text in spanish: Juan José Roldán.
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