In light of a new contract award for the sustainment of APG-66/68 radars that equip the global fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Northrop Grumman a contract aimed at providing support for these systems within a program that includes technical and engineering assistance. The initiative falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework and includes multiple countries that operate this fighter, among them Denmark, a long-time F-16 user that operated the model until early 2026 and is responsible for maintaining the aircraft committed as part of the sale agreement to the Argentine Air Force. In this context, the F-16AM/BM acquired by Argentina will be directly covered by this support scheme.
The contract, with a ceiling of $488 million, includes support services for APG-66 and APG-68 radars across the global F-16 fleet, with execution planned through March 2036. The award was made as a sole-source acquisition and establishes that the work will be carried out in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, under the supervision of the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, the body responsible for the comprehensive management of the life cycle of these systems.
At the same time, the Argentine Air Force is advancing in the consolidation of its F-16 program, both in operational and logistical terms. Following the incorporation of the first aircraft at the end of 2025, the delivery scheme foresees the phased arrival of new units until the planned fleet is completed. In this context, the possibility of advancing the reception of the second batch—initially scheduled for late 2026—is being analyzed, depending on the availability of aircraft in Denmark and the progress of local capabilities for their integration.
This process is accompanied by a comprehensive training scheme for pilots and technical personnel. Through a program developed by the company TOP ACES, training is organized in progressive stages ranging from initial transition to the weapons system to operational qualification and tactical leadership, with the first flights having already begun after their reception. At the same time, preparation work continues at the VI Air Brigade in Tandil, where specific facilities have been put into operation to sustain the system’s operations.
In logistical terms, the incorporation of the F-16s has been supported by the arrival of new support packages that include tools, spare parts, and essential components. These deliveries, within the framework of the Peace Condor program, have helped consolidate a sustainment structure that incorporates the ILIAS management system, aimed at optimizing traceability and fleet maintenance while aligning processes with international standards.
At the regional level, the scope of the contract awarded to Northrop Grumman also includes Chile, the main F-16 operator in South America, which is currently undergoing a modernization process. The Chilean Air Force is advancing the upgrade of its aircraft to the Tape M 6.6 standard, covering both F-16 MLU and Block 50 variants, alongside the execution of international contracts for support and remanufacturing of critical components. This comprehensive approach—combining maintenance, modernization, and life extension—fits within the same logic as the agreement, highlighting a regional trend aimed at sustaining the long-term operational relevance of these combat platforms.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
*Translated by Constanza Matteo
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