Peru’s Air Force signed a contract for 12 F-16 Block 70 fighters from Lockheed Martin, marking the end of reliance on aging Russian jets like the MiG-29 and Su-25 acquired in the 1990s. The $1.54 billion deal covers 10 single-seat F-16C and 2 dual-seat F-16D variants, with deliveries starting mid-2029.
This procurement replaces Soviet-era aircraft facing maintenance challenges due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, which complicates spares and support. The F-16 Block 70 offers advanced APG-83 AESA radar, digital cockpits, and superior electronic warfare capabilities for enhanced situational awareness and combat effectiveness.
The signing occurred at Las Palmas Air Base in a reserved ceremony, including a Foreign Military Sales package worth $460 million for ground support, spares, training, a flight simulator, and limited munitions. Part of the “Recovery of Aerospace Control and Precision Operations” program for Arequipa’s Grupo Aéreo N° 4, it ensures long-term sustainment through U.S.-backed maintenance and engineering transfers.
Peru’s last fighter buy was in 1998 with MiG-29SE jets from Russia, following 18 used MiG-29s and Su-25s from Belarus. This shift to Western platforms strengthens regional interoperability and operational reliability amid supply chain disruptions for Russian gear.