The F-16 Fighting Falcon It remains one of the most widely used combat aircraft in the world in 2025. Its balance between performance, operating costs and ease of updating explains why more than two dozen air forces continue to use it and why the recent incorporation of units in Argentina has reopened the military and geopolitical debate in the region.
Milei presented the F16 in Córdoba: “From today we are all a little safer”
Designed in the 70s by General dynamics, and then produced by Lockheed Martin, the F-16 was designed as light, versatile and economical hunting device. With thousands of hours of combat and real-world missions, the platform has evolved across multiple blocks and configurations. In 2025, old training-oriented versions coexist, such as:Blocks 15 and 20with intermediate models like the blocks 30 and 40which led to improvements in avionics and mission capability.
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However, the version that marks the present of the program is the F-16V, known as “Viper,” which includes AESA radar, a new mission computer and better tactical connectivity. This update extends the model’s service life and positions it as a competitive alternative to more modern fighters, especially for mid-budget countries.
A global map: who runs it today?
The F-16 is a unique case in military aviation: it is in service America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Oceania. In the American region, the United States is the main user, followed by Chile and Venezuela, while Guatemala and Argentina They started with the most recent founding processes. It happens in Europe Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria, in addition to other countries that still maintain fleets in transition. In the Middle East, it continues to play a key role in air power Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman. In Asia and the Pacific, in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan and Thailand They continue to use him actively while Australia employs him in training roles.
The breadth of operators makes the F-16 a standardized platform: a global ecosystem of spare parts, maintenance and training that enables easy maintenance even for countries with medium-sized military structures.
The first batch of six Air Force F-16 aircraft purchased in Denmark is flying to Argentina
Why it’s still valid despite the competition
Unlike fifth generation fighters The F-16 offers a balance that is difficult to achieve between operating costs and performance. Maintenance is cheaper, logistics are widely proven and the availability of used units significantly reduces initial commissioning costs. Interoperability with Western standards and the ability to modernize avionics keep them up to date.
This allows many countries to maintain “credible air capacity” without the investment required to do so. an F-35 or a Rafale.
Incorporation in Argentina: What It Really Means
Between 2024 and 2025 The Argentine Air Force received the first F-16s coming from Europe, in a process that included spare parts packages, technical assistance and training. Since the aircraft are assigned to different blocks, operational availability depends on the standardization of parts and the development of the infrastructure.
For the fleet to be fully operational in the long term, Argentina must maintain logistics support contracts, train pilots and mechanics, adapt hangars and maintenance lines, and ensure stable financing to cover the entire life cycle of the system. Otherwise, the tactical value of the aircraft will be limited by component availability and maintenance costs.
The F-16s will “run” in the skies of Buenos Aires this Saturday and then there will be an event with Milei in Río Cuarto
The arrival of F-16 to Argentina changes the strategic perception in South America. To date, Chile and Venezuela have been the only countries in the region to apply the model. Argentina’s incorporation opens the door to new alliances, bilateral exercises and political definitions of the role of defense in a regional context characterized by budget constraints but growing needs for modernization.
This also leads to a strengthening of diplomatic relations, as the transfer of military aircraft requires technical agreements, joint training and greater cooperation with supplying countries.
Limits and challenges of new technologies
While the F-16 remains functional and adaptable, it faces inevitable competition: fifth-generation fighters. Systems like the F-35 have capabilities invisible to radar, sensor fusion and integrated data networks, doubling or tripling the performance of the F-16 in highly demanding scenarios. Furthermore, the advancement of electronic warfare and the importance of drones and long-range missiles force us to rethink their role.
Nevertheless, the F-16 remains clear: it is reliable, adaptable and, above all, affordable. Therefore, it will continue to exist in the world’s skies for at least the next two decades.
LV/EM
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