Argentina's Fighter Jet Acquisition: A Geopolitical Balancing Act

Argentina's decision on which fighter jet to acquire is a geopolitical competition between the United States, China, and India, with implications for the global arms market and regional dynamics in SA

The international arms trade has long been dominated by the United States and Russia, collectively accounting for nearly half of global arms exports in recent years. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has created a unique opportunity for other nations to step into the void left by Russia’s shift toward meeting its own military needs. Among these contenders, India and China emerged as key players, actively competing for lucrative arms contracts while vying with the United States and Europe. A striking illustration of this competition is the race to supply Argentina with modern fighter jets, with all three major players lobbying the South American nation. The outcome of this competition not only holds significant implications for the global arms market but also shapes the geopolitical dynamics in Latin America.

During the 1982, Falklands War, Argentina relied on vintage Douglas A-4 Skyhawks, which first took to the skies in the 1950s. Argentina’s continued use of these ancient airframes to this day highlights the dire need for modernization. In 1994, Argentina acquired 36 newer variants of the Skyhawk from the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring its oldest A-4s. However, these replacements still featured limited capabilities and aging technology, leaving the Argentine Air Force in desperate need of modern equipment. Argentina's inability to address its fighter jet deficit can be attributed to various factors. Tight budgets, frequent economic crises, and alternative national priorities all constrained the allocation of funds for military modernization.

(Photo: Argentinian A4 Skyhawk during the 1982 Falklands War Source: https://www.taringa.net/+imagenes/la-historia-del-a4-skyhawk-en-la-argentina_uiffk)

Furthermore, the civilian governments that succeeded the military dictatorship had very little sympathy for the once powerful and politically influential armed forces, leaving the air force neglected. However, an obstacle beyond Argentina's control has been British opposition to the sale of modern fighters to Argentina containing British-made components. The United States has also informally partook in this ban, further impeding Argentina's access to advanced fighter aircraft.

This situation has left Argentina's Air Force stagnant while its neighboring countries have been modernizing their fighter aircraft fleets. In the mid-2000s, Chile acquired the F-16 fighter jet, a powerful fourth-generation aircraft in use by the U.S. Air Force and European nations. In 2014, Brazil purchased the Swedish Saab JAS-39 Gripen, also in use in several other countries. Since the retirement of the Mirage III C and V fleet in 2015, Argentina's only remaining fighter/attack aircraft in service is the Douglas A-4AR and a fleet of locally produced IA-63 Pampa aircraft, recently re-branded as 'fighters' by the Defense Secretary for International Relations. The Argentine Air Force has managed to keep these aircraft operational with the help of U.S. spare parts and the Air Force’s resourcefulness to do as much as they can with as little as they have. 

(Photo: IA-63 Pampa III Source: Ministerio de Defensa Fuerza Aérea Argentina)

Due to recent events in the world and after years of failed attempts to acquire aircraft from countries such as France, the Argentine government has whittled down its options to three countries; China, the United States, and India. Argentina has demonstrated a keen interest in purchasing the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). At first glance compared to the United States and China, India seems to be the less ideal option, however, the LCA has some advantages that are especially important to Argentina. Indian jets are notably more cost-effective when compared to options from other countries, such as the United States and France. Argentina's budget constraints likely make the affordability of Indian aircraft an appealing factor. Also, India has expressed a willingness to facilitate technology transfer and engage in joint production agreements with Argentina, a prospect that enhances the attractiveness of Indian jets as a potential choice. The Argentine government understands that it is stuck in the middle of a monumental geopolitical struggle between the United States and China. India presented an opportunity for Argentina to diversify its sources of military equipment without the geopolitical influence that would be tied with the US and Chinese options. 

(Photo: Indian Ministry Of Defence)

Ultimately, however, Argentina decided against the LCA for a few reasons. The LCA has not yet been proven in combat. Argentina may have been hesitant to invest in a new aircraft that lacks a track record of military performance especially when Argentina’s resources are so limited. Additionally, due to the LCA being made with British components, the aircraft would have had to undergo expensive redesigns to accommodate non-British alternative components. Both Argentina and India would also have to run the potential risk of being hit with sanctions from the United Kingdom. Argentina's close relations with China could have played a role, with Chinese authorities potentially pressuring Argentina not to opt for Indian jets in favor of Chinese options, such as the JF-17. The United States may have exerted diplomatic or strategic pressure on Argentina to choose American-made jets over Indian alternatives. U.S. interests in preventing Chinese influence in South America could have contributed to this pressure. At this point, the Argentines were left with two options: the US and China. 

Argentina’s interest in the Chinese J-17 goes back to 2022 when the government expressed a desire to increase cooperation with China in the realm of military modernization. There are a few factors that contributed to the Argentinian government’s interest in the J-17. The JF-17 is known for its cost-effectiveness, making it an attractive option for Argentina, a country with budget limitations. Argentina's economic challenges likely made the affordability of Chinese jets appealing. Additionally, in recent years China has dramatically increased its influence in Argentina via strong economic investment and cooperation. China was instrumental in aiding the Argentine government in paying off its debts to the IMF in time preventing a potential default. The leftist populist Argentine government has also expressed a desire to assert its independence from traditional Western powers, including the United States. Choosing Chinese equipment might be seen as a move away from reliance on the United States. The J-17 also is a newer airframe and would have a longer operational life compared to its F-16 counterpart. 

(Photo: Karam Qurashi)

Despite these factors, there are also numerous reasons why the J-17 may not be a good option for Argentina. The JF-17, particularly the two-seat version, may have had limitations in terms of avionics and operational capabilities when compared to other available options. These technical limitations could have deterred Argentina from choosing Chinese jets. Also similar to the LCA, the J-17 is not a combat-proven jet making Argentina concerned about its quality and reliability. Argentina has a limited budget so once they make this purchase they are stuck with these aircraft, so they want to make the right decision. Also, the issue of spare parts and maintenance comes into play. China has been very protective of its military technology, requiring Chinese personnel to conduct maintenance and for spare parts to be produced in China. The Argentine government is very aware of the increasing influence the Chinese have in its country and may not want to enable China to have even more influence in other sectors of the country such as the military. Argentina may seek to purchase US military equipment as a counterbalance to Chinese influence in its country. Argentina is also aware of the US’s desire to contain Chinese influence in the Americas and may use this fact to leverage better terms from the US in a potential deal. 

So that leaves us with the last option; the US-made F-16 fighter jet. The F-16 is a technologically advanced fighter aircraft that would significantly upgrade Argentina's air force capabilities. Acquiring the F-16 would put Argentina on par with its neighboring countries in terms of military capabilities. The decision to explore the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets is a reflection of Argentina's aim to maintain diplomatic and economic relations with the United States despite nationalistic rhetoric against the United States. The acquisition of the F-16 may contribute to easing tensions in the US-Argentina relationship. It could serve as a confidence-building measure and a positive step in diplomatic relations. 

(Photo: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?82137-danish-airforce)

The decision for Argentina to explore US-made F-16 fighter jets over Chinese JF-17 fighter jets could be influenced by several factors. The F-16 offers advanced capabilities and newer technology compared to the Chinese JF-17. Argentina may prioritize technological sophistication in its Air Force modernization due to only being able to afford limited numbers. The procurement of US-made equipment could help reduce tensions between the two countries. This would be particularly valuable at a time when Argentina seeks US support in resolving its debt repayment issues with the IMF. The US has also offered much better terms compared to its Chinese counterpart. The purchase of the F-16s would be a total package consisting of AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, training, spare parts, logistics, and a smaller downpayment upfront. US financial support is crucial in Argentina’s decision given its constrained military capabilities and urgent need for modernization. Argentina has a history of receiving military equipment and financial support from the United States, making the US proposal more familiar and reliable. 

But why does a relatively small purchase of fighter jets matter so much? Argentina’s decision of where it purchases its military equipment can drastically reshape regional dynamics. The chosen fighter jets will come with specific technical requirements and logistics, potentially binding Argentina to the systems and practices of the supplier country. This alignment can affect interoperability and long-term military relationships. Argentina holds geopolitical significance in its strategic location. If the Chinese were able to establish a foothold in Argentina it could present a serious threat to US interests in the South Pacific/Atlantic region. Argentina can serve as a forward operating base for the Chinese to expand its influence in Antarctica. Argentina is also Hispanic America’s second-largest economy and first-largest country in terms of territorial size. Argentina has a lot of regional influence and its decision to purchase J-17 fighter jets may pave the way for other countries in Latin America to purchase Chinese equipment. 

(Photo: Jorge Alberto Leonardi)

In the midst of complex geopolitical considerations, the future of Argentina's fighter jet acquisition remains uncertain. While the United States has offered a significant policy shift by proposing to supply F-16 fighter jets, Argentina's hesitance, and effort to secure a better deal may delay the decision. The country's challenging economic conditions, a looming presidential election, and strategic need for new fighter aircraft further complicate the situation. At the same time, Denmark's commitment to providing F-16s to both Argentina and Ukraine adds an element of unpredictability. Resolving these competing interests and challenges will be crucial for Argentina's armed forces, which seek to modernize their capabilities and protect the nation's sovereignty. The outcome of this fighter jet acquisition process will not only shape Argentina's military posture but also impact regional dynamics and international alliances in the South Atlantic, with implications extending far beyond the aircraft themselves. As the negotiations continue, Argentina stands at a crossroads, with strategic decisions that will influence its role in the ever-evolving landscape of global power dynamics. 

Sino Talk’s Analysis:

The competition between China, India, and the United States over providing Argentina with its next jet fighter shows the issues countries would find themselves with regarding weapons procurement. China wants Argentina to select its JF-17 over either the LCA Tejas or the F-16 because it would enable the country to make significant inroads into the region related to arms deals. A successful deal with Argentina for the JF-17 could reignite interest in Chinese military equipment from countries such as Peru and Ecuador which brought Chinese military equipment such as air defense radar. The deal would give China the chance to showcase the JF-17’s capabilities –especially its ability to operate in high altitudes and its relatively low price – to the countries in the region. Finally, the deal would allow China increased opportunities to train with a Western-style air force after the Argentine Air Force (AAF) familiarized itself with the new aircraft. China would be extremely interested in learning the tactics, techniques, and procedures the AAF developed or modified from Western doctrine for use with the JF-17. Furthermore, the deal would also give China another avenue to increase its influence in Argentina since the country is in the process of joining BRICS. However, Argentina would be extremely hesitant to pick the JF-17 because it does not want to insert itself into the geopolitical struggle between China and the United States. Argentina would also be hesitant to purchase the JF-17 because it would not want to increase its reliance on China beyond the previous economic deals it made with China.

The LCA Tejas would enable Argentina to access a jet fighter that does not have any of the geopolitical or influence ‘strings’ that the Chinese or American proposals have. The LCA would also allow Argentina to potentially reinvigorate its stagnant industrial base since India could enhance the deal by agreeing to build maintenance and repair facilities in the country. India would also agree to significant technology transfers of advanced technologies such as radars, engine development, and aircraft manufacturing that neither China nor the United States would be willing to do. However, the biggest issue related to Argentina buying the LCA would be the use of British components in the aircraft. The U.K. vetoed every aircraft deal Argentina tried to make with Western aerospace companies because most Western aircraft use British components such as the ejection seat. The country enacted this policy after the 1982 Falklands War to prevent Argentina from buying advanced military equipment it could use to challenge the British claim over the islands. While India previously proposed to switch the British components with Russian-produced components, the Ukrainian conflict now prevents the use of Russian parts in the aircraft. Another issue is that India likely does not have the manufacturing capability to the Argentina order for LCAs while also filling orders for the Indian military.

References: 

Battaleme, J. (2023, September 21). Modernising the argentinean air force: The F-16/JF-17 conundrum. Royal United Services Institute. https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/modernising-argentinean-air-force-f-16jf-17-conundrum 

Desk, E. T. (2023, October 8). LCA Tejas: Despite “intense lobbying”, battle-proven F-16 inches closer to clinch Argentine fighter jet deal. Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. https://www.eurasiantimes.com/lca-tejas-despite-intense-lobbying-battle-proven-f-16-inches/ 

Johnson, R. (2023, October 3). In Argentina’s fighter competition, Washington and Beijing Fight for Regional Influence. Breaking Defense. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/in-argentinas-fighter-competition-washington-and-beijing-fight-for-regional-influence/ 

Kunde, R. (2023, September 13). Argentina continues to face fighter dilemma over F-16 and LCA-Tejas . Argentina continues to face fighter dilemma over F-16 and LCA-Tejas  – Indian Defence Research Wing. https://idrw.org/argentina-continues-to-face-fighter-dilemma-over-f-16-and-lca-tejas/ 

Rivas, S. (2023, October 5). Cazas para la Argentina: A UN paso de que la decisión quede para el próximo gobierno. Pucará Defensa. https://www.pucara.org/post/cazas-para-la-argentina-a-un-paso-de-que-la-decisi%C3%B3n-quede-para-el-pr%C3%B3ximo-gobierno 

Ruiz, R. M. (2023, October 11). Estados Unidos autorizó Una Venta de Aviones F-16 a la Argentina. LA NACION. https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/estados-unidos-autorizo-una-venta-de-aviones-f-16-a-la-argentina-nid11102023/ 

Sanders , R. (2023). F-16s for Argentina. Wilson Center. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/f-16s-argentina 

Xuanzun, L. (2023). Argentina is considering procurement of JF-17 fighter jets: Embassy. Global Times . https://archive.ph/archive.ph 

Zhang, J. (2023, August 6). United States steps up pressure on Argentina over Fighter Jet Choice. Buenos Aires Times. https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/the-us-steps-up-pressure-on-argentina-to-choose-danish-f-16s-over-chinese-or-indian-fighter-jets.phtml