The US wants to sell used F-16s to Colombia at a low cost, dismissing Ukraine's urgent need for these aircraft
The United States of America has announced its readiness to sell used F-16 fighters to Colombia and is already awaiting a response from the Colombian side to schedule a visit during which representatives will be able to inspect the aircraft at Lockheed Martin bases.
Here's What We Know
The terms of the contract provide for two scenarios: the first option is the sale of eight fighters with the transfer of 16 more as a gift, and the second is the sale of 8 to 24 aircraft. At the same time, the US stressed that the negotiations should be transparent, without backroom deals with representatives of the Colombian Air Force.
The choice of a specific version of the agreement will determine the scope of further work on the deployment of infrastructure and the organisation of aircraft maintenance.
At the same time, Defence Express noted that the US proposal is related to its desire to prevent the growth of China's influence and the emergence of Swedish Gripen in Latin America.
F-16. Illustration: Wikipedia
Similarly to Argentina, which received F-16s on preferential terms, the US side is demonstrating a willingness to make significant concessions. At that time, the country received the aircraft at a price of only $13 million per aircraft, even with significant maintenance costs.
However, it is strange that Lockheed Martin has conditionally "surplus" used F-16s at its disposal, which the US is ready to donate to Colombia, although it would be more relevant to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine to really strengthen our Air Force. In addition, it is also strange that the United States is willing to donate combat aircraft to a country that it suspects of corruption, the level of which may seem to directly affect American interests in this story.
Source: Infodefensa
