Brazil is ready to buy 24 old F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters instead of new JAS-39E/F Gripen fighters

Brazil has probably started negotiations on the purchase of US fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters. And we are not talking about new, but used aircraft.

Here's What We Know

Brazil is the first and only foreign operator of Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters. The South American country ordered three dozen of the aircraft almost 10 years ago for about $5.4bn.

Now Brazil has started talks about possibly buying F-16 Fighting Falcon instead of the second batch of new Gripen fighters. The reason is the high cost of Saab's aircraft.

Brazil's desire to upgrade its fighter fleet by retiring the Mirage 2000, F-5EM Tiger II and AMX is a good opportunity for the US to strengthen its position in the region. Last year, Washington approved the sale of two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcon jets to Argentina.

The fighter jets were contracted in mid-spring of this year. The deal is valued at about $340 million, meaning the cost of one F-16 and related equipment is approximately $14 million.

Argentina purchased 24 fighter jets that belong to the Royal Danish Air Force. This was an opportunity for the US to keep China out of the region, as the alternative option was the new Chinese JF-17 aircraft.

Source: Janes