Takeoffs carried out in Río IV mark the beginning of aerial activity for the Argentine Air Force’s new weapons system, while a US$33.2 million contract expands pilot preparation for the operational transition.
The Argentine Air Force began on Monday, March 30, 2026, flight operations with its F-16 fighters from Área Material Río IV. According to Argentina’s Ministry of Defense, two takeoffs at 09:28 and 09:31 marked “the beginning of a new phase” for the weapons system in the country, as part of the Argentine Pilot Training Program and with technical support from Top Aces.
The start of flights comes just months after the operational presentation of the first six F-16 aircraft received by Argentina, held on December 6, 2025, at the same Río Cuarto complex in Córdoba. At the time, the Argentine government stated that the arrival of the first batch represented a leap in operational and deterrence capability for the Fuerza Aérea Argentina, as well as the recovery of supersonic capability lost since the retirement of the Mirage fleet in 2015.
+ Video: Argentine pilots begin training on F-16s
In parallel, Top Aces announced on March 16 a multi-year US$33.2 million contract to provide F-16 pilot training to the Argentine Air Force. According to the company, the agreement was awarded by the 338th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron and will be managed by the U.S. Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron, with the aim of accelerating Argentina’s transition to F-16 operations as the fleet acquired from Denmark enters service.
The program includes full training on the fighter, from basic qualification courses to mission training, progression to flight lead, and instructor training.
Top Aces stated that the contract covers two years of training, with an option to extend for a third year. Activities are expected to take place at Argentine Air Force bases, using the country’s F-16s and combining classroom instruction, advanced simulators, and real flights.
The new phase is also supported by infrastructure developed to sustain the aircraft’s operations. On March 19, the Argentine Air Force announced the inauguration of the F-16 Maintenance Training Center in Tandil, a facility aimed at technical training and reducing external dependence to maintain fleet readiness.
With initial flights already underway and a structured program for training pilots and maintenance personnel, Argentina is advancing in the effective integration of the F-16 as the main platform of its combat aviation.
The move consolidates a new phase in the country’s air defense modernization process and enhances its ability to respond and monitor its airspace.
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Source and images: Ministerio de Defensa da Argentina / @MinDefensa_Ar. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
