The United States government has approved the sale of 12 F-16 Block 70 fighters to Peru, in a potential deal worth approximately $3.42 billion.
The package includes next-generation air-to-air missiles and advanced radar systems, marking a significant strategic shift. Historically reliant on Russian and European equipment, Peru signals with this decision a transition toward the West, driven by difficulties in maintaining its aging fleet and the impact of international sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
The acquisition is crucial for the Peruvian Air Force (FAP), which operates a mixed and outdated fleet of MiG-29, Su-25, Mirage 2000, and A-37 aircraft, many acquired in the 1980s and 1990s. These aircraft face serious maintenance and availability challenges, making modernization a priority for air defense, sovereignty, and counter-narcoterrorism missions.
The F-16 competed with other Western options, such as the French Rafale and the Swedish Gripen, while Russian candidates, once favored, lost ground due to geopolitical constraints and the crisis in Moscow’s defense industry.
Choosing the F-16 consolidates a long-term military partnership with Washington and aligns Peru with other South American operators of the aircraft, such as Chile and Argentina. The decision reflects a pragmatic calculation, weighing the reliability of U.S. logistical support against the unpredictability of Russian supply.
If confirmed, the purchase will mark a major milestone in renewing Peru’s defense capabilities, moving away from an era of Soviet equipment and opening a new chapter of interoperability with Western forces.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @RealAirPower1 | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
The Bushmaster may be Peru’s biggest and deadliest viper in the wild – but its Air Force just got U.S. approval to acquire an even bigger and deadlier Viper: 12 F-16Vs in a $3.4B deal. If finalized, Peru will become the 4th South American nation to operate the F-16.
Inca Viper… pic.twitter.com/KxN9Oy9aD3— Air Power (@RealAirPower1) September 17, 2025
