The first components of the first Argentine F-16 have been loaded onto a C-130 Hercules of the Argentine Air Force (FAA) and are already on their way to the country.
The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Argentina announced via its social media channels that the C-130 Hercules, registration TC-66 “Polo Sur,” is transporting from Aalborg, Denmark, the components necessary to assemble the first F-16 combat aircraft on national soil.
Ready to be part of history? 🇦🇷 The first Argentine F-16 is already on its way from Denmark. Its first components are traveling aboard the Hercules C-130 of the
@FuerzaAerea_Arg, strengthening our country’s air power. This is a huge leap toward a more powerful Air Force…
pic.twitter.com/kq8D9LVvyK
This is F-16 “number 25” of those acquired from Denmark, an F-16B two-seater Block 10 model which, although not flight-capable, will be crucial for the training and development of technical and operational personnel. This aircraft will be based at the future Training and Development Center of the VI Air Brigade, whose construction is set to begin shortly.
FAA’s C-130H TC-66 “Polo Sur” today in Aalborg, Denmark. Photo: MinDef
Preparations for this complex transfer began in late October, with the arrival in Denmark of a technical team from the Material Supply Directorate (DAM) of the General Material Directorate (DGM) of the FAA. This team, along with personnel from the F-16M Program and the Maintenance Service for Defense (Forsvarets Vedligeholdelses Tjeneste – FVT), the maintenance unit of the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF), worked on the preparation of the F-16B for safe transport. They also consolidated the logistical equipment destined for the aforementioned Training Center.
Loading operation of the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine powering the F-16 A/B MLU acquired by Argentina. Photo: MinDef.
In the coming days, the FAA will send another C-130 Hercules to Denmark to bring the remaining F-16 components. Once in the country, the aircraft will be assembled at the facilities of the VI Air Brigade with the assistance of specialized Danish personnel. The goal is to officially unveil this acquisition before the end of the year in a ceremony that will mark a milestone for the Argentine Air Force: the restoration of supersonic capability.
