Chile has one of the more capable air forces in the region although Brazil has many light combat aircraft and is purchasing modern fighters.
Latin America’s limited fleet of fighter jets
There are only a few multi-role fighter jets in Latin American countries. Defense has long been low on South America’s list of priorities – before acquiring the Gripen E, Brazil lacked modern fighter jets. Argentina is also without modern fighters – although it is purchasing 24 retired Danish F-16s. Currently, the only F-16 operators in the region are Chile (whose fleet of 36 F-16s is soon to be upgraded) and Venezuela (which also operates the Russian Su-30MK2 – although how many Venezuelan fighter jets are operational is another topic).
Photo:Â Per Kustvik | Saab
Colombia operates a small fleet of around 17 aging Israeli K-21 Kfirs (these are largely reverse-engineered French Dassault Mirage 5). According to Army Recognition, Colombia is moving to purchase Saab Gripen fighters. While not yet officially confirmed, the deal is said to be on the verge of finalization and worth around $3 billion.
Further north, Cuba once had the most powerful air force in Latin America, but it is now a diminished museum of its former self. Mexico, the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country, does not have multirole fighter jets.
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Publish date : 2024-11-05 22:48:00
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