FINALLY : F-16 fighter jets with Argentine Air Force markings and livery are on exhibit in Denmark.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- The Argentine government appears to be proceeding rapidly with the acquisition of surplus F-16 fighter aircraft from the Danish Air Force. The Argentine Air Force's livery and insignia are currently being used on F-16 fighter jets, having been approved by Washington in mid-March. Argentina is pursuing this procurement process to ensure that it does not miss out on the possibility to acquire the Danish F-16, a beloved fighter aircraft that will be "donated" to Ukraine.
The Argentine Air Force has to purchase 24 F-16s from Denmark in order to replace its outmoded A-4AR Fightinghawk light jet fighters. This is more than just a wish. By the end of this year, the first batch of F-16 fighter aircraft with the Argentine Air Force's logo should be delivered to Argentina.
In a signing ceremony held at Denmark's Skrydstrup Air Base, Argentina formally sealed the contract six months after receiving US clearance. It was announced during the ceremony, which was attended by the defense ministers of both nations, that Argentina will get 24 F-16AM/BMs from the Royal Danish Air Force in addition to four flight simulators, eight spare engines, and spare parts for five years.
The first F-16 bearing the Fuerza Aérea Argentina insignia was unveiled after the agreement was signed. The airplane, F-16BM 86-0199/ET-199, has an Argentine flag that is round and fully colored, and it is painted in the dark grey "Have Glass" color scheme. It's interesting to note that the F-16 is also equipped with a BRU-61 inert rack with four GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs and a GBU-31 JDAM.
AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles are also included in the deal, according to Argentine publications, while additional weaponry would be purchased straight from the US. A government spokesperson stated that the total deal value, including the aircraft price, is approximately US$650 million, which is less than the aircraft's market value.
Originally deployed in Block 1, Block 5, and Block 15 configurations, the F-16s sold to Argentina were eventually updated to the Mid Life Update (MLU) Block 20 configuration, which is thought to have capabilities similar to the F-16C Block 50/52 version.
The search light situated on the left side of the fuselage, directly behind the Radar Warning Receiver antenna in front of the cockpit, is one of the distinctive elements of Denmark's F-16. The most famous systems that Terma created especially for the Danish F-16 are the Modular Reconnaissance Pod (MRP), ECIPS, and PIDS pylons. The F-16 wing's ECIPS (Electronic Combat Integrated Pylon System) and PIDS (Pylon Integrated Dispenser Station) are equipped with an extra flare/chaff dispenser and a radio frequency (RF) jammer.
#f16fighterjet #fighterjet #army #specifications