Breaking News: U.S. confirms Argentina's acquisition of F-16 fighter jets and Stryker armored vehicles.

According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on July 2, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a high-level meeting at the Pentagon with Argentina’s Minister of Defense Luis Petri to reinforce bilateral defense relations and address regional security concerns. Secretary Hegseth praised Argentina’s commitment to defense modernization, particularly its acquisition of U.S.-origin F-16 fighter jets and Stryker 8x8 armored vehicles, which he described as a pivotal milestone in advancing interoperability between the two nations' armed forces.
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U.S. F-16 fighter jet and an M1126 Stryker armored vehicle, two key platforms included in Argentina’s recent acquisition deal with the United States as part of a broader defense modernization effort supported by the United States. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

The meeting formalized the defense equipment transfers through the signing of Letters of Acceptance (LOA), underlining a new phase in the strategic partnership fostered by Argentine President Javier Milei and U.S. President Donald Trump. Argentina’s defense modernization plan includes the procurement of 24 F-16AM/BM fighter aircraft, previously operated by Denmark, which will replace the aging Mirage III and A-4AR Fightinghawk fleets and restore the Argentine Air Force’s supersonic capabilities. The first deliveries are scheduled for December 2025, with follow-on aircraft arriving through 2026, bringing Argentina back into the circle of countries operating fourth-generation Western multirole combat aircraft.

Simultaneously, Argentina will receive a first batch of eight M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICVs), which will mark a major upgrade for the Argentine Army’s mobility and combat readiness. The Strykers, equipped with 12.7mm machine gun mounts and advanced mobility systems, are designed to enhance Argentina’s rapid deployment capabilities in both domestic and multinational operations. These vehicles are expected to enter service starting in late 2025 or early 2026 and represent Argentina’s shift toward adopting NATO-standard platforms.

The United States and Argentina discussions also focused on broader regional security issues, with both defense leaders expressing concern over malign influence in the Western Hemisphere, specifically referencing China’s growing economic and political footprint in South America. The U.S. Department of Defense reaffirmed its intention to collaborate with Argentina on strategic domains including space, cyber defense, critical mineral security, and maritime operations in the South Atlantic.

Argentina’s Minister Luis Petri emphasized that the defense modernization efforts are aligned with President Milei’s national security strategy, which seeks to reintegrate Argentina into the Western defense framework and increase its capacity to contribute to peacekeeping and anti-terrorism efforts. This initiative also reflects Argentina’s intention to reinforce its sovereignty and align with democratic allies in addressing global threats.

The evolving defense relationship between the United States and Argentina reflects a major geopolitical realignment. Over the past decade, Argentina had diversified its defense partnerships, but often struggled to secure high-end Western platforms due to budget constraints and political hesitations. The current defense cooperation signals a decisive reorientation, with Washington recognizing Argentina as a reliable and increasingly capable regional partner. The United States views Argentina’s renewed interest in NATO-standard equipment as a stabilizing factor in the Southern Cone and a strategic counterbalance to external influences in Latin America.

The July 2, 2025, announcement marks one of the most consequential defense cooperation steps between the two nations in recent decades, transforming Argentina from a peripheral ally into a core security partner in the Western Hemisphere. With sustained U.S. support, Argentina is poised to reestablish its role as a major contributor to regional stability and a future participant in joint multinational defense initiatives.