Six F-16 aircraft landed in the country this Saturday, amid a major national celebration and public participation in Buenos Aires
Argentina experienced a historic moment this Saturday with the arrival of the first six F-16 Fighting Falcon jets acquired from Denmark, restoring the country’s supersonic combat aviation capability after more than ten years.
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The confirmation came from the Argentine Air Force itself, which posted: “Mission accomplished: the F-16s have landed on Argentine soil.” Before touching down at Área Material Río IV, the aircraft performed a formation flyover above Buenos Aires, thrilling thousands of people who watched the low-altitude pass.
Crowds fill Buenos Aires to witness the return of supersonic aviation
According to the Ministry of War, the population mobilized early to witness the symbolic moment.
“Families, children, grandparents — everyone saw them fly so close, felt the sound of the engines, and shared something unique,” the ministry said in a statement. “It was a morning of celebration, a historic day for the country.”
Upon arrival at Área Material Río IV, the jets were welcomed with the traditional water-cannon salute, following major aeronautical ceremony protocols.
Milei presents the new fighters and celebrates military milestone
The F-16s were officially presented by Argentine President Javier Milei and Minister of War Luis Petri, who highlighted the technological leap for the country’s air defense.
“Today, Argentina once again has supersonic fighters,” the ministry stated. “A major achievement by President Milei, who led the most important military investment in decades to equip our Air Force and defend the Argentine people with these new guardians of the national airspace.”
The government also praised the performance of the pilots during the long-distance transfer flight from Denmark to Argentina, as well as the flyover above the capital. “An extraordinary demonstration of capabilities,” the official note said.
United States celebrates bilateral milestone
The United States ambassador to Argentina, Marc Stanley, celebrated the arrival of the aircraft, calling the moment “a historic milestone” for the Argentine Air Force and for the relations between both countries.
“The F-16s have arrived in Argentina! It is a moment of pride to celebrate the arrival of the first six F-16s acquired from Denmark — a historic milestone for the Argentine Air Force and a clear sign of the exceptional moment in our bilateral relations,” he said in a social media post.
According to Stanley, the cooperation strengthens regional security and supports Argentina’s sovereignty, demonstrating a joint commitment to stability in the Western Hemisphere.
New backbone of Argentina’s air defense
The F-16s were previously operated by the Royal Danish Air Force and were chosen by Argentina after years of negotiations and proposals from various countries. They will replace the aging Mirage and A-4 fleets, which had faced operational difficulties for years.
Source and images: X @luispetri | @OPRArgentina. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
