Lockheed Martin wants to sell 24 upgraded F-16 Viper fighters with AGM-154 JSOW and AGM-84E Harpoon missiles to Colombia for $4.6bn

The Colombian Air Force could get an upgraded fourth-generation F-16 Viper (Block 70/72) fighter jet. Lockheed Martin wants to sell the South American country more than 20 aircraft, associated equipment and ammunition.

Here's What We Know

Lockheed Martin is offering Colombia to buy 24 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters upgraded to Block 70/72. The debut of such aircraft was unveiled about two months ago.

The deal will be $4.2 billion + $0.4 billion for the missiles. The price of 24 planes is $2.45 billion, that is, just over $100 million per unit. Another $1.75 million Colombia will have to pay for logistics, construction and upgrading of infrastructure, education and training, supply of simulators and maintenance for three years.

If Colombia does not suit this option, Lockheed Martin is offering an alternative option - a $3.13 billion contract (+$0.4 billion for the missiles), but with the number of aircraft reduced by a third. In this case, the cost per fighter would be around $112 million ($1.79 billion for 16 units).

As you can see, regardless of the option chosen, Lockheed Martin is offering Colombia to pay for the missiles separately. We are talking about the AGM-84E Harpoon and AGM-154 JSOW. The cost will be approximately $175 million and $225 million respectively.

Whichever option Colombia chooses, the planes will have to wait many years. Lockheed Martin could start deliveries of the upgraded F-16 Viper fighters in 2028.

Source: Infodefensa