After days of uncertainty and political pressure in Lima, reports from the Peruvian press indicate that the transitional government reversed course and, under confidentiality, finalized the initial purchase of 12 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for the Peruvian Air Force.
According to sources linked to the Peruvian Air Force and reports published in the country, the Peruvian government signed on the afternoon of April 20 the contract for the acquisition of the first F-16 Block 70 fighters, in a move that puts the country’s combat aviation reequipment program back on track. The signing reportedly took place discreetly, without an immediate official announcement, after days of uncertainty surrounding the process.
The turnaround comes shortly after interim president José María Balcázar stated that he preferred to leave the decision on the purchase of 24 aircraft to the next government, arguing that a transitional administration should not commit to a deal of that magnitude. The position generated strong political and military repercussions in Peru, as well as reactions from sectors advocating for the immediate completion of the deal.
According to the information released so far, the first contract would fall within the U.S. authorization for a potential military sale to Peru. In September 2025, the DSCA, an agency linked to the United States government, reported that Lima had requested 12 F-16 Block 70 aircraft in an initial batch — ten single-seat F-16C and two two-seat F-16D — as part of an operation estimated at US$ 3.42 billion, a figure that also included a second batch of an additional 12 aircraft.
The package approved by the United States also includes 14 F110-GE-129 engines, AN/APG-83 AESA radars, mission systems, navigation equipment, AN/AAQ-28 Litening targeting pods, electronic warfare capabilities, technical training, logistical support, and short- and medium-range air-to-air weapons such as the AIM-9X Block II and AIM-120C-8. The composition reinforces that the deal goes beyond the delivery of aircraft and includes the necessary structure to put the new fleet into operation.
Although the final details of the signed document have not yet been officially disclosed, the potential confirmation of the agreement represents a decisive step toward replacing the Peruvian Air Force’s aging fighter jets and resuming one of the country’s most relevant military programs in recent years. So far, however, available reports indicate that the process remains confidential and without formal communication from Peruvian authorities or Lockheed Martin.
Source and images: pucara.org | U.S. Air Force. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
