The US wants to induce Argentina to buy 24 US F-16 fighter jets from Denmark for $700m instead of Chinese JF-17s or Indian Tejas

Argentina's air force wants new fighter jets. The South American country is targeting China's JF-17 Thunder and India's HAL Tejas. However, the US is pushing Argentina to buy American aircraft.

Here's What We Know

Argentina has yet to decide on a fighter jet. Meanwhile, the White House is asking Congress to approve the $700 million sale of 24 fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to the Royal Danish Air Force.

The US desire to induce Argentina to buy F-16s lies in Washington's desire to prevent a deal with China. In this case, Argentina can get 15 new JF-17 Thunder fighters (pictured below), while in the case of the F-16 we are talking about the old A/B aircraft, which appeared in the 1980s.

Another advantage of the agreement with China is the possibility of an unlimited weapons package. The potential deal will be financed from a special fund created by a law on the re-equipment of the country's armed forces.

Note that Argentina immediately ruled out the possibility of buying Russian Su-35s. The chances of acquiring HAL Tejas are close to zero, although there was a possibility of renewed interest in Indian fighters after a delegation from the Argentine Ministry of Defence visited India. Agreements were signed during the visit, but they related to helicopters and Brahmos missiles.

Source: Buenoss Aires Times