The plane is amongst six anticipated to succeed in Argentina in December 2025, whereas the remaining 18 are to be delivered by 2028.
The Argentine Air Drive’s (Fuerza Aérea Argentina) first operational ex-Danish F-16B MLU (Mid-Life Improve) Block 15, a twin-seat jet, has been unveiled at Denmark’s Aalborg Air Base, confirmed photos emerged on social media on Sep. 19, 2025, and shared by Argentine Protection Minister Luis Petri. The plane, tail quantity M-1001, is a part of the primary six of 24 airframes, anticipated to reach at Río Cuarto (Rio IV Materials Space of the FAA) by December.
Deliveries of the remainder of the F-16s are deliberate to be made between 2025 and 2028. The plane M-1001 bears full FAA markings in a darkish gray paint scheme, with Petris saying the F-16s are “being ready to fly to Argentina.”
“The Protection Upkeep Service (FVT) has accomplished the portray and preparation course of for the primary 6 plane destined for the FAA,” stated Petri. “With modernized programs, floor therapies, and standardized paint in keeping with NATO specs, the F-16s, acquired by resolution of President Javier Milei, will quickly soar by our skies.”
En Dinamarca, los F-16 se preparan para volar a la Argentina.
El Servicio de Mantenimiento para la Defensa (FVT) completó el proceso de pintado y puesta a punto de las primeras 6 aeronaves destinadas a la @FuerzaAerea_Arg. Asimismo, un equipo multidisciplinario integrado por… pic.twitter.com/7oBiWeH3fI
— Luis Petri (@luispetri) September 19, 2025
In April 2024, Argentina and Denmark inked a $300 million contract to purchase 24 second-hand former RDAF F-16A/B MLU jets underneath the Peace Condor program. This system was inexperienced lit by Washington the earlier 12 months, and likewise included 4 flight simulators, engines and spares for the plane over 5 years. The U.S. authorized one other $941 million bundle in October that 12 months for weapons and spares.
Flight to Argentina and preparations
Concerning the plane’s flight to Argentina, Petri stated that the hassle has been led by a multidisciplinary workforce of FAA’s personnel from the F-16 Program and the DALO (Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Group). Petri moreover stated “the USAF is planning the switch of the planes, which can have assist from KC-135R refuelers and a C-130 Hercules.”
This means the plane would fly by itself energy, with the KC-135 Stratotanker from the U.S. Air Drive refueling them alongside the best way. The C-130 may very well be from the FAA, meant to hold the plane’s spares and repair personnel, for the roughly 11,000 km (7,326 mile) journey.
📍Aalborg, #Denmark (🇩🇰)
The primary official photos of the @FuerzaAerea_Arg’s (🇦🇷) first flying unit have been unveiled at Aalborg Air Base.
The F-16B MLU (#: M-1001) is a 2-seat coach and will probably be one of many first to reach in December. pic.twitter.com/is6l2MfY3e
— SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) September 19, 2025
A joint delegation of the USAF’s AFSAT (Air Drive Safety Help Coaching Squadron), a part of the AETC (Air Training and Coaching Command), non-public ADAIR (Adversary Air) companies supplier High Aces and DALO additionally visited Argentina “to examine amenities, infrastructure, and procedures of the Argentine Air Drive (FAA),” Zona Militare reported on Sep. 11. This was in preparation for the “upcoming incorporation of six F-16AM/BM fighters deliberate for December and the beginning of the transition course scheduled for January 2026 in Río Cuarto,” the report added.
Zona Militar additionally revealed that Argentina and the U.S. signed a Letter of Provide and Acceptance (LOA) that lined the companies of High Aces “to coach Argentine pilots” on the F-16s and its weapons programs. Buenos Aires can be signing agreements with different air forces to recruit international instructors sooner or later for trade packages.
Hoy visitamos la base logística de Aalborg, en Dinamarca, donde se alistan los F-16 que pronto integrarán la @FuerzaAerea_Arg. Supervisamos los trabajos sobre los primeros seis cazas que llegarán en diciembre y analizamos cada aspecto logístico de la operación de transferencia.… pic.twitter.com/Se2zUoVSni
— Luis Petri (@luispetri) June 24, 2025
On Jun. 24, Petri additionally shared photos and movies of him visiting Aalborg Air Base, the place at the least two different former RDAF F-16s are seen present process conversion. On Jun. 25, Petri signed an settlement with Terma World, to “present elementary enhancements in Digital Warfare programs, and {hardware} updates, mission planning instruments, assist gear, and technical help.”
Infrastructure work
The report of Zona Militar additionally touched upon the position of AFSAT, High Aces and DALO. AFSAT is chargeable for coordinating with the FAA on the coaching curriculum for the F-16s. The High Aces workforce toured models just like the sixth Air Brigade in Tandil – studying in regards to the DART tactical coaching system, the 4th Air Brigade in Mendoza -to observe “tactical flights” with the IA-63 Pampa, and the Army Aviation Faculty – the place the Texan II Floor-Primarily based Coaching System (GBTS) is predicated.
Within the Río IV Materials Space, they “inspected amenities and procedures, and verified pilot coaching and English proficiency.” DALO in the meantime is validating the F-16-related infrastructure and upkeep programs, beside flying the F-16s from Denmark to Argentina.
Firmamos un acuerdo clave para avanzar en la modernización y preparación operativa de los 24 F-16 adquiridos a la Actual Fuerza Aérea de Dinamarca, con el objetivo de que estén listos para volar y adaptados a las necesidades de nuestra @FuerzaAerea_Arg.
La empresa @Terma_Global… pic.twitter.com/IPGZitfBHE
— Luis Petri (@luispetri) June 25, 2025
DALO “surveyed the runway works, set up of braking programs and duties carried out by the Nationwide Airport System Regulatory Company (ORSNA) at Río Cuarto Airport and Tandil Air Base.” The work on the two,260 meter runway at Río Cuarto contains “resurfacing, conditioning, and friction and braking distance measurements,” in addition to braking zones and overrun zones with the BAK-12 system.
The Argentine MoD instructed the Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies in a written response about groups of technicians and mechanics within the U.S., and pilots in Argentina who would transfer to Denmark by October to proceed the remainder of the coaching. The FAA can be making ready to obtain the “preliminary assist bundle” from Denmark by way of the ocean route in October and coordinate “extra C-130 flights to move delicate materials between October and December.”
Argentina’s Peace Condor program
The FAA obtained its first F-16B MLU (Mid-Life Improve) Block 10, a twin-seat variant, on Dec. 16, 2024, in a disassembled state aboard the service’s KC-130H Hercules at El Palomar. The plane departed from Denmark’s Aalborg Air Base, and was later transported to Tandil Air Base.
The FAA’s VI Brigade then unveiled it with full service markings, livery and tail quantity M-1210, on Feb. 24, 2025, at Tandil. This plane nevertheless isn’t a flying airframe, and would solely be employed for coaching functions. The plane was beforehand numbered ET-210 whereas in Danish service, and was coincidentally concerned within the operationalization of RDAF’s (Royal Danish Air Drive) F-35s, flying as chase aircraft at Edwards AFB, California, throughout testing.
The FAA has been with out a supersonic fighter since 2015, after retiring its final Dassault Mirage IIIs. The service has relied, since then, on the older technology A-4AR Fightinghawk, with round 30 jets purchased from the U.S. in 1983 after the Falklands Warfare.
