More than four decades after their incorporation, the Mexican Air Force (FAM) is moving forward with the process of replacing its Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II fighters, currently the country’s main air defense asset. Introduced in the early 1980s, these aircraft have sustained the institution’s supersonic capability for years. However, the passage of time, rising maintenance costs, and declining operational availability have made clear the need for their replacement.
In this context, during the Tulum Air Show 2026, held at Military Air Base No. 20 (Tulum International Airport), FAM commander Román Carmona Landa confirmed that the institution has formally begun the process of replacing its F-5 fleet, with the goal of incorporating twelve new combat aircraft by 2028.
In statements to the specialized outlet Janes, the service chief noted: “The F-5 represents Mexico’s greatest capability, but it is old technology and we are planning its replacement in the short and medium term.” Along those lines, he specified that various alternatives are being analyzed, including the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72, the Saab Gripen E, as well as light combat platforms such as the KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle and the Leonardo M-346FA.
Carmona stressed that the priority is to incorporate an aircraft capable of carrying out air defense, reconnaissance, and ground attack missions, in line with the FAM’s current operational requirements. In parallel, the officer confirmed other modernization programs. Among them is the acquisition of two Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for late 2027 or early 2028.
Currently, Air Squadron 401 is the only unit equipped with supersonic interceptors within the FAM. It operates from Military Air Base No. 1 in Santa Lucía and has as its main mission the defense of national airspace. The unit has a reduced fleet of F-5E/F aircraft acquired between 1981 and 1982 (ten single-seat and two two-seat aircraft). Following various accidents over the decades, the number of operational aircraft has been significantly reduced.
As for the alternatives under evaluation, the F-16 Block 70/72 stands out as a mature and widely proven solution, equipped with the APG-83 AESA radar, state-of-the-art avionics, and a structural service life of up to 12,000 hours. Its relevance in the region is reflected in recent acquisitions such as Peru’s, adding to historic operators such as Chile and Venezuela, as well as its recent incorporation in Argentina. For its part, the Gripen E, developed by Saab, stands out for its network-centric warfare architecture, sensor fusion, and high survivability in contested environments. In Latin America, it has already been incorporated by Brazil.
In a lower segment, the South Korean KAI FA-50 combines advanced training and combat functions in a single supersonic platform, with a payload capacity of up to 4.5 tons. Finally, Leonardo’s M-346FA constitutes a LIFT solution with attack, close air support, and tactical intelligence capabilities, although with lower performance compared to supersonic fighters. The final decision on the future aircraft to be incorporated will be decisive for the future of Mexican combat aviation, in a context in which the FAM is seeking to recover and modernize its air defense capabilities for the coming decades.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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