US approves proposed F-16 sale to Peru

The Lockheed Martin-built F-16C fighter aircraft. (Lockheed Martin)

The US Department of State has given the green light for a proposed Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of F-16 fighter jets to Peru, totalling USD3.4 billion.

Officials from the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified US congressional lawmakers of the approval of the F-16 deal, which agency officials argue “will not alter the basic military balance in the region”, according to a 16 September statement.

“The proposed sale will enhance the Peruvian Air Force's ability to control its sovereign airspace, defend its territorial borders, and conduct precision air-to-ground attack operations in support of ground forces in counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations”, while enhancing military-to-military co-operation between Washington and Lima for “an enduring long-term basis”, DSCA officials said in the statement.

The bulk of the FMS proposal to Peru is centred around the sale of 10 single-seater F-16C Block 70 fighters and a pair of the two-seater F-16D Block 70. The deal, if accepted by Peruvian officials, would also include 14 F110-GE-129 engines, which include two spares for repair and maintenance, the statement noted.

In terms of munitions, the proposed arms package also includes 12 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and associated Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) guidance units. US defence officials have also included 12 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles, paired with CATMs and “tactical guidance units”, as part of the deal.

Along with AMRAAMs and Sidewinders, DSCA officials are also including 52 LAU-129 guided missile launchers as part of the deal. Of the 52 launchers, 48 would come installed aboard the 12 F-16 fighter jets with four spare launchers, the statement noted.