Iirc it's to avoid Argentina buying the JF-17 from China.

From what I read, the US "asked" Denmark to sell the jets to Argentina so as to stop the Chinese from selling fighter jets to Argentina. The British have been objecting to Argentina buying more modern aircraft for a long time because of the Falklands dispute, but America was able to convince Britain to allow this sale just to block China from getting a foothold (military sales wise) in South America.

Brits aren't concerned abut the Falklands War anymore but are still upset about Maradona's Hand of God goal that eliminated England from the 1986 World Cup.

Let me shed some light on this. I am argentinian, and I have been following this soap opera for the past 2-3 years. Back in 2015, the Air Force had to retire the Mirage III and IAI Finger (Mirage V/Nesher/Dagger) as they reached the end of their lifespan. Unlike any nation that plans their defense years in advance, we "really" started looking for a replacement after they were retired. Right now, all our air defense depends on less than 10 Lockheed Martin A4-AR Fightinghawks (A4-Ms modernized with F-16 avionics from the 90s) and around 30 IA-63 Pampas, which are advanced trainers with light attack capabilities (built in Argentina). So, over the course of the past 9 years, this topic of the Mirage replacement resurfaced every once in a while with a few different aircraft. Back in the 90s, when we purchased the A4-AR, the Air Force actually requested F-16s to replace the now old A4-Bs and -Ps. However, due to the Malvinas/Falklands war, UK pressured the US not to sell F-16, and instead we got something in between. In 2000, we has everything ready to sign for F-16s when the country fell into a huge economic crisis. Fast forward to the 2010s, we had an offer for IAI Kfir, which was the logical replacement for the Mirage, and they offered technology transfer also. But due to lack of interest by the government of that time (right wing, they were slowly dismanteling the armed forces), that offer was not considered. Then, after 2015 we had an offer for Mirage F1, and was also dismissed. We had a new offer from the US for F-16s, but was dismissed by the "defence minister" (note that I used "") for a very ridiculous reason: the ventral air intake sucks stones from the ground, or so she said. Fast forward to 2018. A different political party in the government. We signed a letter of intent to acquire KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle from Korea. It was a good opportunity, but the govenrment ended before an agreement could be reached. The following government (same party as the one that rejected the F1, Kfir and F-16) cancelled the order as they realised the FA-50s had british components. Argentina has a weapons embargo by the UK, we cannot purchase any weapons system that has british components. However the government never asked if they could be replaced. Then they received offers for the following: Mig-35, Chengdu JF-17/FC-1, HAL Tejas, IAI Kfir NG (not even considered) and... danish F-16 MLU. To make a long story short, it came down to the F-16s vs JF-17/FC-1. The quantity/quality/price was much better for the F-16s than the JF-17. 24 aircraft for 320 millon USD (+300 millon USD for weapons) vs 12 aircraft for 320 millon USD not considering weapons.

The Falklands War might have something to do about it.

Danish guy here.. We are still sending 19 to Argentina as far as I know. To arrive later this year.

Argentina won't try invading Las Malvinas again. Just forget about it. Btw, this (the F16s) is a good thing - our new President Milei is a good guy who is very friendly with the west.

The reason why the Danish Air Force with the congress approval from the United States is due to multiple reasons. First during the previous government of Argentina it was decided to renovate the fleet of fighters, due to the aging A-4 that the USA sold to Argentina, In addition to the Argentina AirForce lost its supersonic capability approximately 10 years afín with the retirement of the Mirage Fighters. During this time, Argentina was looking to upgrade to FA-50 but since the British had betto the sale due to having British parts, this betto exist since the Faulkland War. In addition every fighter that the Argentina airforce have sought out for has British parts. With this in mind the only options for Argentina new supersonic fighter was to purchase the Mig-29 but due to USA sanctions to country that purchase Russian military equipment they decided not to at the time. With is is mind the only fighter was the Chinese Made JF-17 the Chinese offered this to the Argentina Air Force at a great financial prince (new) with all its armaments without limits on it’s capabilities. The united state in order to avoids china expanding in the americas they countered offered with the Danish F-16 fighters. At first, they Argentina refused it due to possibly having British parts, but based on USA older model these does not have British parts and could be sold to Argentina without an prior agreements of sale of the British who veto British parts or armennte to be sold to the Argentina military. The additional option the Argentina had was the Indian made Jal fighter jet but this option deem not possible due to British parts even when India offered to replaced the British parts for other suppliers. In addition the new government of Argentina is more aligned with the USA interest in the region and recently received a part of a donation deal a C-130 ceremony was in representation of the US Goverment the head of the Southern Commandant General Richardson who has visited the country multiple times. FYI - one of the us interest I Argentina is the observation deck that was built by the Chinese goverment in Argentina dessert with this said the Argentina goverment cannot enter this facility without prior authorization. The US is pressuring Argentina to cancel this country wish was signed for more than 50 years.

Denmark still donates 19 F16s to Ukraine, and they are free, and include training for pilots and ground personnel

Argentina hasn't renounced use of force in pressing their claim on the Falkland Islands. The UK currently has a few Typhoons stationed there and would likely need to increase that force to provide a credible deterrent if Argentina possessed a couple squadrons of more modern fighters.

F-16 was pretty much the only option for Argentina to acquire combat jets. The British still have an embargo in place so any jet with Martin Baker ejection seats is a no go and the US wanted to prevent Argentina from shopping in China and them getting a foothold on the continent. I’m sure the US will have leverage over Argentina regarding the Falklands and the delivery. Furthermore plenty of F-16’s available for Ukraine.

AFAIK from what I heard in Danish media, the deal is already approved by the US. On the politics side, I think US has some interest in that Argentina does not buy Chinese Jets. It was the plan to sell the F16, even before the war in Ukraine. So I think it's just because US approved it now, that we hear about it.

Hi, just to clarify, I don't know where you guys got that it's a donation, it's a usual commercial contract. Argentina will pay Denmark 300 million dollars and to the United States another 300 million for the weapons, training, etc that the aircrafts will use. 👋

Vamooooooo 🇦🇷 Bienvenido Viper!

Why do you say it's bad for argentina? You didn't extend on that. I'm argie btw

When all these NATO nations say "we want to donate F-16s to Ukraine" what they really mean is hey "We want someone to buy these F-16s from us". Now the Greeks are saying the same thing about their Block-30 F-16s. Newsweek headline says Greece to send F-16s to Ukraine but in the article the Greek Defense Minister says ""The Block 30 F-16s need to be sold.""

Is there a difference between MLU(Mid Life Upgrade) and MSIP)(Multinational Staged Improvement Program) Vipers? Isn't there MSIP F-16s headed to Ukraine(announced in later 2023 IIRC. Thanks in advance.

Update: Now we got the F-16's 😏

Possibly salty Brits. The Falklands war happened in my lifetime, and it still resonates strongly with those who fought and those who remember. To you, it's a hand wave and the trite statement: "Pfft, that was 40 years ago." It's not such an easy dismissal for older Brits.

The Netherlands has sold 58 surplus F-16's MLU to Chili and Jordan between 2006 and 2017. Beside the donated F-16's to Ukraine there a deal in the make for selling 6 planes to Draken, that deal bounched last februari. Just saying that selling the surplus planes is not uncommen.

Gonkys Teeth are blinding enemy jets🗿

People think throwing money at a problem will solve it. Same people think dumping worn out retired jets at a problem will solve it. These are Block 10/20 F-16s. F-4G Phantoms and A-7s were still operational when these were built.

Going against the calls in the comments that Mover, Gonky and guest of the week do research on geopolitics topics, I actually would prefer to hear their opinions based on whatever is in their heads. This isn't a general purpose talk show, I'm here to listen to fighter pilots talk about military and aviation topics. If none of the pilots are in the habit of getting reading up on world affairs, that's fine for me. I don't need to hear them refract whatever they've learned from some articles and videos 20 minutes earlier through years of service.

Nice F-16 MLU tape 6.5

England would have been screwed if Argentina had f16s back during the war

I agree with other comments here. Britain will look unfavourably on this because they have a detachment of Typhoons protecting the Falklands islands. They will likely have to increase this now due to the F16s.

I imagine the UK have some part to play in this. The Uk plays a big roll in F-35 production. We have blocked multiple attempts by Argentina of buying many aircraft example of this is the Gripen from Sweden as it has Uk made parts. I imagine we would of have a little word with Denmark and said they are some rules to this we understand you need to Make some money back but giving Argentina 20/24 f16’s is a right kick in the teeth for us.

Bellendsky and the Brits must be delighted 😂😂😂

you are probely not reading this 10 days after. But the reason why so many Danish people are against the deal with Argentina. is they believe Argentina wants to attack the Falklands again. The other is. Most danish people (you know the nerds, spotters etc) Wants to keep the F-16 instead of the F-35. In a rotation: F-16 for home defense and QRF. And F-35 for international operations. (A lot of old F-104, F-16 pilots has this opinion). Those are the most common. But when i was in Ukraine not long ago we talked about it and it seems a lot of Ukrainian military people find it odd, that Denmark is selling 24 (the updated ones block 15) and is giving the updated block 10 to Ukraine.

muy contento por mi pais. like 227

Its been awhile since their last conflict but Chile and Argentina have a history of not liking one another. Chile backed Great Britain in the Falklands War.

Maybe it’s because only a handful of eurofighters defend the falklands, now the argies more of a threat.

It's surprising on two grounds. First, because while it's true that the Falklands War was more than 40 years ago, Argentina has never stopped claiming that the islands "rightfully" belong to Argentina and are "illegally occupied." The UK still bans all export of defense technology to Argentina, which makes it a little surprising that the State Department would authorize the transfer. Second, because Argentina is *broke af.* Yes, they desperately need to replace the ancient jets they're flying; the reason they haven't done so is because they can't afford to. That was supposedly the sticking point in making a deal with China to buy JF-17s: China insists on getting _paid_ for their kit. So it's a little surprising that they managed to scrape together enough cash to buy even secondhand F-16s. That said, it's possible that authorizing the sale of old F-16s to Argentina is viewed as something of a carrot towards Argentina's newly elected President, who's a lot more pro-US than their previous government.

Argentina esta a punto de cerrar la compra de 127 stryker 8x8 27 se entregarían antes de fin de año y otros 100 se construirían en Argentina

1982… Falkland Island…

The answer is deeper than a simple purchase and sale contract for 4th generation fighters. It is the response of the United States and the mutual interest of the United States and Milei in removing the Chinese from their hemisphere.... who advance step by step, with military installations, aggressively towards the United States. silk passes through Argentina - Antarctica and its resources.. China does not build 8 aircraft carriers at a time to go on a picnic. China offered Argentina its Chengdu FC-1 Xiaolong (JF-17). It was the first step to building a wall.

I am a PERSON LIVING IN ARGENTINA, friend, THE GOVERNMENT prior to Milei and his group that governed for 16 YEARS humiliated the Argentine armed forces, I NEVER respected those who fought in the Malvinas, and the worst, THEY wanted the country to stay without military force to be able to "solve by talking", THEY ARE NOT INTENDED FOR INVASION, Argentina is a BIG COUNTRY, it needs to PROTECT itself

afuera!

The US Made Sure the Denmark F-16 Deal Happen for Argentina.

The Falklands War Between the UK and Argentina 1982

The UK has been preventing Argentinian Airforce to getting new aircraft since the Falklands War. Then Argentina went to buy the JF17.

I think its becouse ukraine need it more than argentina, i thinks becouse with this AC argentina can claims with more force the Falklands and now antartica.

Ukrainians are very adamant that everything be given to them and all commerce cease until their conflict is resolved. I mentioned before that I thought the F-16 was a bad idea. Too many competing requests from countries with money vs. Ukraine. BTW…Greece is also trying to sell F-4s and Mirage 2000s. Maybe the older Greece F-16s get bought and donated to Ukraine.

Did USA consult the UK first?

The sale was approved over a year ago to stop Argentina from buying a Chinese fighter. The UK didn't object, probably because the Danish F-16s are relics. No threat.

I wonder if US allow Denmark to sell those F-16s with AIM-120s. If so, UK will note be pleasant

Ukraine is in the news a lot and I guess that be why people want to see the F-16s go there.

Imagine being so poor you're forced to sell your biometrics day to eat and then your government does this.

It was England who blocked US F-16s because off some british components in these Aircraft, but they are not installed in Danish or Dutch F-16s That is why, some off the moaning is that Argentina is on warpath for the Falkland islands again!!!!

Ukraine do need more planes than just the planes they got pilots for. Some will be used to replace combat losses and F16s that will get shot down. Some planes will sit on the ground being repaired while the other plane is flying up in the air doing air combat. If Ukraine does not get an extra pair of planes, then this will not be possible. Then the pilot needs to wait until his plane is fully repaired before he can fly it.

Argie here, guess i should explain some stuff. First and foremost, the Malvinas War: most people tend to forget that it was a pointless war between 2 corrupted govnerments, and nowadays we seek to regain them by diplomatic means. With that out of the way, let me explain our situation with planes: due to our loss of military and defensive strenght that happened due to the negligence of certain govnerments here, we began seeking new planes with supersonic capabilities to replace the SUE/SEM and to have a substitute for our A4ARs. The first chosen candidate was the FA-50, but we found out that they have British parts on them (we can't buy any kind of weapon with british components due to the veto), then we set our sights on getting MiG-29s but the Russo-Ukranian war happened (that, and the fact that the russians weren't well known for giving the necessary spare parts for manteinance before the war anyway). Afterwards, we put our interest in the indian HAL Tejas, we chose to not buy them due to the low ammount of fuel that it carries because our territory is huge. In the end, we opted to buy the chinese JF-17 due to it's capabilities. At that point, the US govnerment makes the offer for the F-16s to prevet the purchase of chinese weaponry and to secure an alliance with us thanks to the importance of our geographical location. Political reasons aside, not only is the price convenient for us, the capabilites of the F-16s and its components are a great addition for interoperability with our already existing systems, neighbours and allies, namely Brasil. And these F-16s come with a neat extra: Have Glassis V coating, the same coating that is only used in F-35s. Kudos to you and Gonky, Mover. Keep up the great work.

Danish Guy here - The inside scoop here in Denmark is that the Danish government wanted to donate the entire fleet to Ukraine but was asked by the US government to sell 24 to Argentina instead. 19 F-16´s are donated to Ukraine and will be handed over "this summer". Who knows why the sale was important to the US - maybe we (DK) will get a better deal for more F-35´s..

We have NO MONEY -Milei Let them Eat cake - Marie Antoinette Let’s Buy Jet planes for a country with no active or future enemy’s -Also Milei🙃

If i am not mistaken, i thought i read that Argentina gave there Russian made Migs to Ukraine in exchange for F16s? Is this the way they are doing it?

Does this mean we're gonna have to go all the way down to the Falklands again?

Argentina still saber ratles about Falklands, so Britain would prefer if Argentina just had pointed sticks. Second is the totally unhinged guy now running the country. Few people want a guy like that to have access to high quality military equipment.. In the end I'm guessing he's gonna try and pay for the F16s with NFTs.

Bring back MACE!

The Falklands is expensive to defend and Argentina is rarely far away from their next sabre rattling great leader, threatening to take back the Islas Malvinas and make Argentina great again... It's far easier for everyone if Argentina can't mount a semi-credible threat, but the US wants to keep Chinese influence out of South America. Whether US influence can/will be successfully exerted over Argentina to ensure peace is maintained, while respecting the interests of Falklanders and UK sovereignty, time will tell, next time...

just bunch of British trolls upset not a big deal, Argentina paid for those f -16, they chose the best ones Denmark had, and the State Department approved the sale! , ucraine got the planes for free.

I thought the Danish sale of F-16s to Argentina was cancelled so those jets could go to Ukraine.

Mover talks very often about how much of a Diva the f16 is as far as runway and maintenance it requires to operate . we are being played if we think Ukraine is going to receive and operate those things to any effect . Russia would be absolutely foolish to leave these airfields in good shape for the f16s to operate from , the harrier, A10a or legacy f18 would have been better to give to them . some speculate Russia has left the airfields alone just so the f16s would be wide open targets with almost no intercepts of the KH22 i dont see how people think this plan is going to work out

Oh man, respectfully... are you really North American fighter pilots? I ask this because I imagine that to be a combat pilot you need to study a lot, be a capable man, and have high cognitive capacity. Gentlemen, I am Brazilian, and with the permission of our Argentine neighbors and brothers, I will explain: The reason for the US government to allow (and pressure) the sale of these Danish F16 units to Argentina is strategic. The geographical position and the possible sale of Chinese weapons systems to the Argentine state raised a red light. So, poor Ukraine and faithful loyalty to the British is no more important than ensuring safe passage, through the Strait of Magellan and the Drake Passage, for the US Navy. As well as logistical access to Antarctica. The operation of the F16 by the Argentine air force guarantees greater interoperability with the USAF and other regional forces, in addition to keeping China at bay. Did you get it? Forgive me for the irony, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I was surprised. And I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Argentine brothers, for recovering their supersonic capacity, after so many years of state neglect and British pressure. To this day, we study here the great achievements of the Argentine air forces, in their fight against a much superior force. The Malvinas are Argentine, and Brazil supports the diplomatic demands of the Argentine people. Greetings.

After the Falklands War back in 1983 Argentina wanted to replace their Douglas A-4 Skyhawks and their Dassault Mirages, they became interested on the KAI KA-50 , and the SAAB Gripen for the Argentinian Air Force, but Britain 🇬🇧 kept interfering on those attempts because those jets contained British parts and so they were considering purchasing the JF-17 from Pakistan 🇵🇰 which had no British Componenents. And Now Denmark 🇩🇰 is now willing to sell Argentina with 24 F-16 Vipers, that could only have occurred not only with the Approval of the US State Department but also with the British Foreign Ministry as well.

Argentina tiene que modernizar su Fuerza aerea y el Actual gobierno de Javier Milei apoya a israel y USa y confronta con ciertos interés de China. Geopolitica es la clave Mr Lemoine. saludos!

During the Falklands war the Brits did sink a WW2 battleship that we sold to the Argentina so.....

Better than Argentina buying some Chinese fighters. The recent political change in Argentina is swinging away from China towards the West but they don’t have the economic resources to build new. Thus some used F-16s which there are many of available from many sources. Should approve the transfer. Ukraine needs many fighters too but they need more of the latest variants available to meet war challenges. Or at least the best available used variants which are mid grade F-16 block 50/52 or older variants with upgrades. Argentina can get by with the oldest F-16 variants because they don’t expect to need them for any war and just want a minimal viable capability level for deterrence. They want cheap. The other alternatives considered were new FA-50 or a new Tejas variant.

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 approved

I would prefer if the jets were pledged to Ukraine. The F-16s could be provided by the US instead, which is reluctant to provide its own aircraft to the Ukrainians.

What! No F16 for Ukraine?

Is there some history I’m missing here ?” Three words - nineteen eighty two. Argentina still continually vows to retake the Falklands, Britain continually blocks their ability to buy modern fighters. Previously Argentina has tried to buy from our enemies, now they are getting the go ahead from our allies.

im sure England is not happy but hopefully this means less ww3 starting f16s in Ukraine hands

The new president is the latino Trump, so I can imagine that there will be haters

Excuse me Denmark, could you send them to Ukraine instead? Sincerely, the UK Edit: The US approved F-16 operators to send or sell F-16s to Ukraine already. The UK is a NATO member alongside Denmark and they did boogaloo down in the Falklands in 1982. Also Poland could be a location for these jets to be repaired and parked at times given that they have the expertise with the jet.

England has an embargo against Argentina, if there are any components produced in the UK.