Argentina’s First Operational F-16s Depart Denmark for Ferry Flight

On November 28, 2025, the first batch of six refurbished ex-Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16 jets departed Denmark, initiating their long ferry flight to Argentina.

The batch comprises four two-seat F-16BM jets and two single-seat F-16AMs, delivered under the 2024 agreement for 24 surplus Danish F-16s sold to Argentina via the Peace Condor program.

The jets are scheduled to land at Brigada Aérea IV in Córdoba by December 5, 2025. From there, they will undergo arrival and processing before entering Argentine service.

This marks the first time in a decade that Argentina is reintroducing supersonic-capable combat fighters — a significant shift for a nation that retired its last supersonic jets over a decade ago.

Background — From Deal to Delivery

The deal for 24 second-hand Danish F-16 AM/BM jets was formalized in April 2024, after Argentina’s long search for affordable supersonic replacements for its aging fleet.

A first two-seat F-16B aircraft — a ground-training airframe — had already been shipped in late 2024 for pilot and crew familiarization at Tandil Air Base.

The Peace Condor acquisition includes not just the aircraft but also spare parts, engines, flight simulators, and a multi-year logistics support package.

The F-16s on transfer have undergone a mid-life upgrade (MLU) while in Danish service, ensuring they meet the requirements of modern air combat and providing Argentina with a relatively capable fleet despite being second-hand.

Transfer Flight – Route, Logistics, and Aircraft Details

Ferry Plan & Support

• The jets departed from Skrydstrup Air Base (Denmark) on November 28.
• Their first scheduled stop is at Zaragoza Air Base (Spain) for refueling and checks.
• The journey will require aerial refueling support due to the single-engine nature of the F-16 and the long Atlantic crossing. For that purpose, a U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker is expected to support the transfer, alongside an Argentine C-130 and Boeing 737-700 (T-99), which will carry spare parts and support crews.

The Aircraft

• First batch tail numbers reportedly include F-16BM: M-1004, M-1005, M-1007, M-1008; F-16AM: M-1009, M-1020.
• All six jets recently completed their final mid-life upgrade (MLU) inspection in Denmark, were certified airworthy, and repainted in full FAA livery.
• Once arrived and processed at the Área Material IV (ARMACUAR) in Río Cuarto, they will provide Argentina — after more than a decade without supersonic fighters — with renewed air-defense and combat capability.

Strategic Implications & Policy Perspective

The start of the F-16 ferry flight underscores the success of the Peace Condor program — a cooperation between Argentina, Denmark, and ultimately backed by U.S. approval and logistical support.

For Argentina, this accomplishment is more than just expanding its fleet: it represents a restoration of supersonic airpower, lost since the retirement of its Mirage fighters in 2015.

Regionally, the reintroduction of F-16s may shift the balance of aerial deterrence in South America — especially as neighboring countries observe an uptick in Argentine air capability. For the U.S., backing and facilitating the transfer aligns with broader strategic interests of maintaining interoperability and influence with partner air forces in the hemisphere.

Operationally, integrating the ex-Danish F-16s will require the establishment of training, maintenance infrastructure, and logistics chains inside Argentina. The already-delivered training airframe and previous logistical preparations suggest that Argentina is building towards a capable, self-sustaining F-16 fleet.

What to Watch — Next Steps

• Arrival of the six jets in Córdoba around December 5, 2025.
• Formal induction and initial flight tests by FAA, followed by transfer to Río Cuarto and eventual basing at Tandil Air Base, once runway and hangar upgrades complete.
• Subsequent ferry flights delivering additional aircraft — up to 24 jets contracted — through 2028.
• Integration of support logistics, weapons, and training infrastructure to ensure full operational capability.

Closing — A New Era for Argentine Air Power

The departure of the first operational batch of F-16s from Denmark is a landmark moment for the Argentine Air Force. After nearly a decade without supersonic jets, Argentina is on the cusp of re-entering the realm of modern multirole combat aviation. The F-16’s arrival — enabled by international cooperation under Peace Condor — signals a renewal of aerial sovereignty for Buenos Aires and a recalibration of South American air power dynamics.