Peru’s plan to acquire a new fighter jet has entered another phase of uncertainty after the government postponed a contract decision that had been expected in recent days. Local media had reported earlier that authorities were preparing to announce the selection of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 in a deal involving 24 aircraft — 20 single-seat and four two-seat jets — along with a Boeing KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft.
Interim President José María Balcázar said the decision will instead be left to the next administration, which is set to take office in July following the country’s next election process. “We would leave an issue of this great magnitude to the new government,” he said, citing the financial implications of the deal, estimated at around $2 billion.
The move comes shortly after reports that a signing ceremony had been scheduled, only to be canceled at short notice. The delay drew a reaction from the United States, with its ambassador to Peru warning against actions that could undermine bilateral interests, although Balcázar rejected the criticism and said the purchase itself was not being abandoned.
Peru has been evaluating options to replace its aging fleet of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 fighters for more than a decade, with the F-16 competing against offers from Saab’s Gripen and Dassault’s Rafale. The U.S.-built jet has been cited more than once in local reports as the preferred option, but previous claims of a final selection were later denied by authorities.
Lockheed Martin has accumulated 111 firm orders for the Block 70/72 variant and has delivered 37 aircraft in recent years, as several countries move to modernize their fleets with updated versions of existing platforms.
Peru is one of several South American countries undergoing a fighter renewal cycle. Brazil has already selected the Saab Gripen E/F, with 36 aircraft on order, while Colombia has also chosen the Swedish jet. The F-16, in turn, is already in service in Chile and was recently introduced in Argentina, which is receiving 24 second-hand aircraft sourced from Denmark
