Washington, September 19, 2025 (Agencies): The United States Department of State has approved a proposed Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and associated equipment to Peru, in a deal valued at USD 3.4 billion, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Tuesday.
According to the DSCA statement, the package includes 10 single-seat F-16C Block 70 aircraft and two twin-seat F-16D Block 70 aircraft, along with 14 F110-GE-129 engines — two of which are spares. The sale also covers advanced weapons systems, training, and support services.
If finalized, the deal will significantly boost Peru’s air combat capabilities, enabling it to better control its sovereign airspace, defend territorial borders, and conduct precision air-to-ground operations in support of counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism missions. US officials stressed that the sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region” and will strengthen long-term defence cooperation between Washington and Lima.
The proposed arms package includes a range of advanced munitions: 12 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs with Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) guidance units, 12 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles with tactical guidance units, and 52 LAU-129 guided missile launchers — 48 pre-installed on the aircraft and four provided as spares.
In addition to the aircraft and weapons, the package offers spare parts, logistics support, technical training, and US government and contractor engineering services, ensuring Peru’s air force can maintain and sustain the fleet.
The deal still requires congressional approval, after which Peru must formally agree to the purchase. If completed, the acquisition will represent one of the largest defence procurement programs in Peruvian history and a major upgrade over its current fleet of aging fighter jets.
Analysts say the move reflects Washington’s renewed focus on Latin America, where the US seeks to deepen military ties with key regional partners amid growing competition from other suppliers, including Russia and China.