Argentina’s F-16 Deal Illustrates Washington’s Renewed Security Push In Latin America

A month after Argentina received its first batch of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, the acquisition continues to reverberate far beyond the country’s Air Force. Brokered by Denmark and backed by Washington, the deal marked the most significant shift in Argentina‘s defense policy in decades, formally closing the door on Chinese-made alternatives and signaling a clear geopolitical realignment under President Javier Milei.

The timing is not incidental. As President Donald Trump begins his second year in office, he has moved to reassert the U.S.’s influence in Latin America, a top priority of the “Trump’s corollary” to the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which opposed any influence outside the U.S. in the Western Hemisphere.

Experts believe the main factor in this shift is China‘s growing economic, infrastructure, and strategic footprint in the region.

Argentina’s decision to opt for the U.S. aircraft—after years in which the Chinese JF-17 was a serious contender—has emerged as a key case to analyze the great power contest in the region.

The China Factor

Behind the scenes, the F-16 decision was shaped as much by geopolitics as by military capability. Francisco Cafiero, Argentina’s former deputy defense minister (2019–2023), was directly involved in negotiations over both the F-16s and the Chinese JF-17s prior to Milei’s inauguration, as well as other options, such as the Indian Tejas.

In an interview with Latin Times, Cafiero explained how the choice between the main two aircraft reflected competing strategic visions for Argentina’s international alignment, representing a potential disruptive shift from its traditional non-aligned foreign policy.

“The JF-17 option existed because Argentina was looking for a viable solution after years of disinvestment,” Cafiero said. “But it was also clear that any decision involving Chinese military equipment would have broader geopolitical implications, particularly in relation to the United States.”

According to Cafiero, Washington closely followed the negotiations and signaled its preference for a U.S.-aligned outcome, especially as China and most Latin American countries strengthened ties through infrastructure projects, energy investments, and Belt and Road Initiative cooperation over the past years.

“The F-16 deal was clearly a political decision by Milei and sends a clear message,” he added. “It places Argentina firmly within the U.S. strategic orbit at a moment when global competition is increasingly being played out in this region.”

Strategic Assets and Hemispheric Security

During a ceremony at a military base in Río Cuarto, in the central province of Córdoba, Milei framed the purchase in both strategic and symbolic terms. “These aircraft are a symbol of the Argentina we are building,” he said in December, standing in front of the first six F-16s delivered to the country. “Today more than ever, we can say that the forces of heaven are with us.” The comment highlighted the now-familiar mystical or messianic tone Milei often adds to his speeches.

Former Defense Minister Luis Petri, who oversaw the final stages of the purchase and now serves as a national lawmaker, described the acquisition as “the most important military purchase in the last 40 years.” Argentina, he noted, had lacked supersonic combat aircraft since 2015 despite being the eighth-largest country in the world by territory. The F-16s, he said, provide “effective deterrence, not for show,” restoring Argentina’s capacity to control and monitor its airspace.

Cafiero, a Peronist leader now in opposition, said he saw irony in Petri’s words. “We conducted all evaluations, and the decision was ultimately a political one,” he said. “Our advice to (former) President Fernández was to go with the Chinese JF-17 as the best deterrence option. But elections entered the picture before a final decision could be taken,” he explained, referring to the 2023 general election won by Milei.

“The Chinese option was very viable; it was a very good offer because it is a complex fourth-and-a-half generation weapons system, brand new, with 100% Chinese technology without British components,” Cafiero pointed out in relation to the veto Argentina has on buying British military equipment since the Malvinas War in 1982.

Nevertheless, Cafiero continued, the Chinese system would have given Argentina full autonomy and a weapons system entirely new to Latin America. “The JF-17 also offered financing and technology transfer, allowing local defense organisms to perform maintenance tasks and giving Argentina a strong regional presence. In terms of geopolitical assessment, this was the best option available,” he reflected.

U.S.-Chinese Competition

Months later, already under Milei’s administration, Argentina aligned firmly with U.S. strategic objectives in the region, particularly as energy security became a central concern of Trump’s administration. Not only did the Libertarian government abstain from joining the BRICS alliance, it also quickly finalized the F-16 deal despite economic struggles and a total cost exceeding $650 million.

“The F-16 acquisition is part of a broader debate on Argentina’s long-term strategy, (caught) between the U.S. and China,” Cafiero continued. He added that the purchase demonstrates Buenos Aires’ willingness to coordinate closely with the Trump administration.

Cafiero also warned that the operational costs and sustainability of the program remain uncertain. “Flying an F-16 fully equipped can cost $20,000–$22,000 per hour. Argentina’s air force may not have the budget to train pilots and maintain the fleet at full capacity. Moreover, armaments must be purchased from the U.S., and availability is not guaranteed. It’s an expensive, long-term commitment.”

“The armament depends entirely on the United States, through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system, where Argentina is a client. Now Argentina will have to invest much more money if the U.S. is willing to sell the authorized armaments. Again, doubts remain.”

Closing the Door on Alternatives

By selecting the F-16, Argentina formally ruled out Chinese and Indian options. Cafiero explained that the JF-17 could have interoperated with other Latin American forces and offered technology transfer opportunities, potentially elevating Argentina’s regional standing. Yet political priorities prevailed.

“Milei’s administration marked a strategic break, abandoning previous policies of regional integration and multilateral cooperation in favor of alignment with a declining U.S. hegemony. This is unprecedented in modern Argentine defense policy,” Cafiero said.

Defense analysts note that securing critical infrastructure and airspace in countries with key energy assets is becoming a priority under President Donald Trump’s second-term security doctrine, which emphasizes hard power, deterrence, and reliable political alignment.

From that perspective, Argentina’s pivot away from China and toward U.S. military hardware represents more than a procurement decision. It signals a broader recalibration of alliances in a region where Washington is seeking to regain ground after years of alleged disengagement.

For Milei, the F-16s serve both as a material upgrade to Argentina’s long-neglected armed forces and as a political statement—one that underscores his government’s intention to anchor the country firmly within Western strategic priorities, even as global competition intensifies across Latin America.

Originally published on Latin Times