US Clears Possible Sale of F-16 Fighters to Peru Despite Lima’s Selection of Gripen Jets
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The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft to Peru, valued at an estimated $3.42 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the authorization, which allows potential negotiations between Lima and US defense contractors. This step, however, does not imply the conclusion of a contract. It reflects a procedural move by Washington to keep the option available, even though Peru has already publicly announced that it intends to acquire Saab Gripen E/F fighters.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The F-16 Block 70 is the latest production standard of the single-engine multirole fighter (Picture source: US DoD)
According to the DSCA, the proposed package covers ten F-16C Block 70 and two F-16D Block 70 aircraft, supported by fourteen F110-GE-129 engines, fourteen AN/APG-83 AESA radars, twelve M61A1 20mm cannons, inertial navigation systems with GPS integration, and new-generation mission computers. The request also includes twelve AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles, twelve AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles, fifty-two LAU-129 launchers, as well as training missiles, cryptographic devices, tactical radios, identification friend-or-foe systems, and a wide range of support equipment and services. Lockheed Martin, General Electric Aerospace, and RTX Corporation are listed as the primary contractors for the proposed sale.
The F-16 Block 70 is the latest production standard of the single-engine multirole fighter. It features structural upgrades designed to extend service life to 12,000 flight hours, a GE F110-GE-132 engine producing nearly 30,000 pounds of thrust, and a radar system capable of tracking multiple targets in contested environments. The aircraft is fitted with a modern cockpit compatible with the JHMCS II helmet system and is configured for a wide range of roles, including air superiority, strike, and suppression of enemy air defenses. It can carry AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles, JDAM and Paveway precision-guided bombs, AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, and long-range standoff weapons such as the AGM-158 JASSM and AGM-154 JSOW.
US officials emphasized that the proposed sale would not alter the basic regional military balance but could strengthen the Peruvian Air Force’s ability to defend national airspace and conduct precision operations. The FMS process, however, is an authorization rather than a signed contract. While it permits discussions and potential procurement, the decision ultimately lies with the purchasing government.
In July 2025, Peru announced that it had selected Saab’s Gripen E/F as its future combat aircraft, in a deal covering 24 fighters and the GlobalEye airborne early warning platform. The Gripen was chosen over both the F-16 Block 70 and France’s Rafale, reportedly on the basis of cost-effectiveness, shorter delivery schedules, and industrial cooperation agreements offering technology transfer. The government in Lima has presented the decision as a strategic modernization plan for its air force, which still relies on Dassault Mirage 2000, MiG-29, and Su-25 aircraft that no longer meet current operational standards.
The US notification highlights how the FMS system functions: by securing prior congressional approval, Washington enables possible sales even if the buyer has yet to confirm interest. For Peru, the authorization remains hypothetical unless circumstances change. Analysts note that keeping the F-16 option open may provide flexibility, as major defense contracts often involve long negotiations and technical adjustments. If talks with Saab encounter delays or obstacles, Lima could revisit other offers.
The modernization of the Peruvian Air Force has been under discussion for years, with pressure growing to replace legacy aircraft with platforms able to perform both national defense and internal security missions, including counter-narcotics and counterterrorism operations. Against this backdrop, the competition between the Gripen and the F-16 is part of a broader pattern of defense industry rivalry in Latin America. Brazil already operates the Gripen, while the F-16 remains one of the most widely used fighters worldwide, valued for its established logistics network and interoperability with US and NATO forces.
The US authorization represents a procedural step rather than a binding agreement. Peru has already signaled its intention to move forward with the Gripen, but Washington’s notification ensures the F-16 remains an available option. The situation underlines both the complexity of modern fighter procurement and the ongoing competition between suppliers for influence in South America.
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{loadposition sidebarpub}
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft to Peru, valued at an estimated $3.42 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the authorization, which allows potential negotiations between Lima and US defense contractors. This step, however, does not imply the conclusion of a contract. It reflects a procedural move by Washington to keep the option available, even though Peru has already publicly announced that it intends to acquire Saab Gripen E/F fighters.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The F-16 Block 70 is the latest production standard of the single-engine multirole fighter (Picture source: US DoD)
According to the DSCA, the proposed package covers ten F-16C Block 70 and two F-16D Block 70 aircraft, supported by fourteen F110-GE-129 engines, fourteen AN/APG-83 AESA radars, twelve M61A1 20mm cannons, inertial navigation systems with GPS integration, and new-generation mission computers. The request also includes twelve AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles, twelve AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles, fifty-two LAU-129 launchers, as well as training missiles, cryptographic devices, tactical radios, identification friend-or-foe systems, and a wide range of support equipment and services. Lockheed Martin, General Electric Aerospace, and RTX Corporation are listed as the primary contractors for the proposed sale.
The F-16 Block 70 is the latest production standard of the single-engine multirole fighter. It features structural upgrades designed to extend service life to 12,000 flight hours, a GE F110-GE-132 engine producing nearly 30,000 pounds of thrust, and a radar system capable of tracking multiple targets in contested environments. The aircraft is fitted with a modern cockpit compatible with the JHMCS II helmet system and is configured for a wide range of roles, including air superiority, strike, and suppression of enemy air defenses. It can carry AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles, JDAM and Paveway precision-guided bombs, AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, and long-range standoff weapons such as the AGM-158 JASSM and AGM-154 JSOW.
US officials emphasized that the proposed sale would not alter the basic regional military balance but could strengthen the Peruvian Air Force’s ability to defend national airspace and conduct precision operations. The FMS process, however, is an authorization rather than a signed contract. While it permits discussions and potential procurement, the decision ultimately lies with the purchasing government.
In July 2025, Peru announced that it had selected Saab’s Gripen E/F as its future combat aircraft, in a deal covering 24 fighters and the GlobalEye airborne early warning platform. The Gripen was chosen over both the F-16 Block 70 and France’s Rafale, reportedly on the basis of cost-effectiveness, shorter delivery schedules, and industrial cooperation agreements offering technology transfer. The government in Lima has presented the decision as a strategic modernization plan for its air force, which still relies on Dassault Mirage 2000, MiG-29, and Su-25 aircraft that no longer meet current operational standards.
The US notification highlights how the FMS system functions: by securing prior congressional approval, Washington enables possible sales even if the buyer has yet to confirm interest. For Peru, the authorization remains hypothetical unless circumstances change. Analysts note that keeping the F-16 option open may provide flexibility, as major defense contracts often involve long negotiations and technical adjustments. If talks with Saab encounter delays or obstacles, Lima could revisit other offers.
The modernization of the Peruvian Air Force has been under discussion for years, with pressure growing to replace legacy aircraft with platforms able to perform both national defense and internal security missions, including counter-narcotics and counterterrorism operations. Against this backdrop, the competition between the Gripen and the F-16 is part of a broader pattern of defense industry rivalry in Latin America. Brazil already operates the Gripen, while the F-16 remains one of the most widely used fighters worldwide, valued for its established logistics network and interoperability with US and NATO forces.
The US authorization represents a procedural step rather than a binding agreement. Peru has already signaled its intention to move forward with the Gripen, but Washington’s notification ensures the F-16 remains an available option. The situation underlines both the complexity of modern fighter procurement and the ongoing competition between suppliers for influence in South America.
