Peru’s government has signed a contract for 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 multirole fighters, confirming the selection on April 23, 2026, after weeks of uncertainty and a $462 million initial payment on April 22.
The deal, valued at around $2 billion including support, ends a contentious competition against Saab’s Gripen E/F and Dassault’s Rafale, with technical signing at Las Palmas Air Base on April 20 by Defense Minister Carlos Díaz Dañino.
Production will occur at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville, South Carolina facility, with deliveries starting in 2029 to replace aging Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 fleets in the Peruvian Air Force (FAP).
This acquisition makes Peru the sole Latin American operator of new-build Block 70 variants, bolstering air sovereignty and aligning with U.S. systems amid regional tensions.
The F-16 Block 70 offers advanced avionics, extended 12,000-hour structural life, and low lifecycle costs, addressing FAP’s operational gaps.
Political drama marked the process: interim President José María Balcázar postponed a ceremonial signing, prompting resignations of Díaz Dañino and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela on April 22 over deferral attempts.
Lockheed Martin enhanced its bid, potentially enabling a follow-on batch of 12 more aircraft funded by $1.5 billion in Peru’s 2026 budget, doubling the fleet for two squadrons.
U.S. Ambassador Bernardo Navarro emphasized Peru’s full fleet control, strengthening bilateral defense ties as the F-16 user nations reach 30.