China and Russia ‘Lost’ a Big Fighter Sale Thanks to the F-16

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Key Points: Argentina’s President Javier Milei is redirecting his nation’s foreign policy away from BRICS and leftist allies like Cuba and Venezuela, aligning instead with the United States.

-This shift is marked by the U.S. State Department’s approval of a $941 million deal to supply Argentina with 34 F-16 Fighting Falcons and advanced weaponry.

-This “fighter jet diplomacy” showcases Argentina’s commitment to democracy, free markets, and defense modernization while distancing itself from China and Russia.

-While Milei champions defensive strength, concerns linger about avoiding a militaristic resurgence reminiscent of Argentina’s 1982 Falklands War. Milei prioritizes economic growth and solidifying U.S.-Argentina ties.

Sorry Putin and Xi: U.S. Approves $941M F-16 Sale to Argentina 

Argentina’s President Javier Milei looks like a wolfman, and I mean that in a good way.

He is always looking for ways to streamline government, cut down on the number of agencies, reduce headcount, and save money in any way possible.

The rabid libertarian is one of the inspirations for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Musk and his acolytes will take a chainsaw to the government like the Argentine president.

Running a New Course with F-16 Fighters 

Regarding relations with the rest of the world, Milei has a foreign policy different from that of his left-wing Peronist predecessors. 

No longer will Argentina be friends with Cuba and Venezuela. Milei is also ignoring the belligerent BRICS family of nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), plus dozens of other non-aligned countries who thumb their nose at the United States. 

Argentina is turning away from China and Russia and hitching its wagon to America, which is a refreshing change from other leftist governments in Latin America.

Protecting Sovereignty

Argentina is also pondering a revised national security strategy that includes homeland defense with new airplanes. 

To be sure, Argentina is not in a dangerous neighborhood, but the nation does need modern means of protecting its borders and weapons to keep foreign rivals from encroaching on its sovereignty.  

In November, the U.S. State Department approved a noteworthy sale of F-16 Fighting Falcons to Argentina. 

Thirty-four F-16s will be shipped to Buenos Aires in a deal worth $941 million. The Argentine Air Force will also receive modern AMRAAM missiles plus laser-guided precision bombs.

“The proposed sale will improve Argentina’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the additional capacity to conduct air defense, offensive counter air, and close air support operations,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.  

Showing Russia and China There Is a New Sheriff in Town

This is the biggest arms deal the United States has forged with the Latin American country in 20 years. The U.S. government could not be happier. Milei is sending a message to China and Russia that he will not be pushed around and forced to buy military hardware from Beijing and Moscow.

Fighter Jet Diplomacy

With a leftist government, Argentina would assuredly have considered and even purchased fighters and other military equipment from BRICS countries. The deal helps cement ties between the United States and Argentina. I have written extensively in articles and books about “fighter jet diplomacy,” and this deal is an example of that practice.

Usually, this type of diplomacy has been conducted by the United States with F-35s. 

Argentina can likely not afford or have the ability to fly and maintain the fifth-generation stealth fighter, but the fourth-generation F-16 will be right up its alley.

Milei is likely extremely happy about this deal for the F-16s. It adds prestige and national pride to its military. Milei can also point out to voters that Argentina will no longer look at China and Russia as saviors. 

The Argentines are choosing democracy, free market principles, and the philosophy of peace through strength. This is exactly what the incoming Donald Trump administration espouses in its defense strategy.

Keep An Eye on Argentina to Make Sure It Doesn’t Become Too Strong Militarily

One problem I foresee is that the United States doesn’t want to witness Argentina becoming warlike. 

The country was once led by an evil military junta dictatorship that forced the South American nation into conflict with the United Kingdom during the Falkland Islands crisis of 1982. This is a war the Argentines lost, and the country is still bitter and even ashamed of the result.

However, Milei is a strict libertarian, and most libertarians believe that a military should only be used sparingly for defensive and not offensive purposes. 

It is not likely that Milei would bully his neighbors, but he is expected to point out to countries such as Brazil that the F-16s are an example of how he is returning Argentina to well-earned strength. 

He first focuses on GDP growth, alleviation of poverty, solving inflation, and improving trade ties with the United States. 

He also wants to show the BRICS nations that Argentina does not want to antagonize the West. Fighter jet diplomacy is one way in which Milei can guarantee better relations with the United States to make Argentina great again.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood 

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.