Forces: February 23, 2001

Archives

Chile has (after a long competition) chosen the F-16 as its new fighter. The $600 million contract will cover between 10 and 12 F-16Cs and two-seat F-16Ds of the Block-50 or Block-52 upgrade. The aircraft are to be delivered in 2004 and 2005. Chile reportedly wants to buy the conformal fuel tanks developed for the UAE F-16C60s, giving its aircraft very long range. Chile also wants to buy AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to arm these aircraft. Chile currently has 13 Mirage-50s, 19 Mirage-5s, 13 F-15Es, and 30 A-37s. The A-37s will be retired as the F-16s come into service. Chile picked the F-16s over the competing JAS-39 Gryphon, the F-18 Super Hornet, and the Mirage-2000-5.--Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close