Washington has approved a prospective foreign military sale worth $3.42 billion to Peru, encompassing a fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and a full suite of weapons and support systems. Under the request, Lima seeks 10 F-16C Block 70 and two F-16D Block 70 fighters to upgrade its aerial capabilities. The acquisition is designed to enhance the Peruvian Air Force’s ability to patrol its skies, defend territorial sovereignty, and provide precision strike support for ground forces combating narcotics trafficking and terrorism. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency emphasized that the move will also deepen military ties between the United States and Peru.
Included in the package are advanced weapons and subsystems. Peru will receive 12 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs, nearly 50 LAU-129 launchers with spares, and 12 M61A1 guns. To strengthen close-range air combat, the country has requested 12 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles, additional tactical and training guidance units, and captive training missiles. Aircraft power and avionics upgrades are supported by 14 F110-GE-129 engines, programmable display generators, and embedded GPS-based navigation kits.
The radar and mission systems list is equally robust, with 14 AN/APG-83 AESA radars, Modular Mission Computers, and Joint Tactical Radio Systems supplied primarily in installed-and-reserve quantities. The support package further integrates advanced sensor technology, such as infrared search-and-track systems, missile warning gear, and electronic warfare defenses. Also included are Litening targeting pods, helmet-mounted cueing systems, and identification friend-or-foe (IFF) transponders for enhanced situational awareness.
Additional provisions span radios, cryptographic modules, key loaders, night vision equipment, and mission planning tools, in addition to ammunition and countermeasure devices. The contract will be executed by Lockheed Martin, General Electric Aerospace, and RTX, bringing together major US defense firms to supply Peru with upgraded fighter jets and a full-scale sustainment program.
