Reports in Latin American defense media have once again pointed to the Lockheed Martin F-16V as the preferred choice for Peru’s long-running fighter acquisition program, although no official confirmation has been issued by the government.
The website Defensa.com reported on April 14 that Peru’s armed forces procurement agency could announce the selection of the F-16 Block 70/72, in a deal reportedly involving 24 aircraft — 20 single-seat and four two-seat jets — along with a Boeing KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft. The information remains unofficial and follows previous instances in which the F-16 was cited as the leading candidate, only for Peruvian authorities to later deny that any decision had been made.
Peru has been evaluating options to replace its aging fleet of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 fighters for more than a decade. The competition has included contenders such as the Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale, alongside the F-16.
Saab, whose Gripen was among the finalists, said it had not seen any official confirmation of a decision by Peru.
“We have taken note of media reports regarding the selection of combat aircraft by Peru. We have not seen any official information that Peru has decided to choose another supplier,” the company said in a statement to Swedish media.
“We continue to follow the process closely and remain convinced that the Gripen would be the best and most cost-effective fighter for Peru,” Saab added.
The F-16 Block 70 is the latest version of a fighter originally developed in the 1970s, incorporating a new Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA radar with capabilities comparable to those found on newer-generation aircraft.
The model is designed for an extended service life of up to 12,000 flight hours, equivalent to more than four decades of operation for most air forces, while requiring limited structural intervention over time. It can also be fitted with conformal fuel tanks, increasing range by around 60% depending on the mission profile without affecting aerodynamic performance.
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.
