The takeoff flight performed on Río IV marked the start of air activities of the Argentine Air Force’s new weapons system, while the US$ 33.2 million contract expands pilot preparations for the operational transition.
The Argentine Air Force began on Monday, March 30, 2026, fighter flight activities F-16 they are from the Río IV Materials Area. According to the Argentine Ministry of Defense, two takeoffs at 09.28 and 09.31 marked “the beginning of a new level” for these weapon systems in the country, within the framework of the Training Program for Argentine Pilots and with technical assistance from the company Top Aces.
The start of these flights occurred just a few months after the operational presentation of the first six units F-16 which was received by Argentina, which was held on December 6 2025 at the Río Cuarto complex, Córdoba. At that time, the Argentine government stated that the arrival of the first batch represented a leap in the operational capabilities and deterrence of Argentina’s Fuerza Aérea, while restoring the supersonic capabilities lost since the Mirage’s retirement in 2015.
+ Video: Argentinian pilot begins training with F-16
In parallel, Top Aces on March 16 announced a US$33.2 million multiyear contract to provide F-16 pilot training for the Argentine Air Force. According to the company, the agreement was awarded by the 338th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron and will be managed by U.S. Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadronwith a focus on accelerating Argentina’s transition to F-16 operations as the fleet acquired from Denmark enters service.
The program includes complete training on these fighters, from basic qualification courses to mission training, advancement to squadron leader, and instructor formation.
Top Aces stated that the contract includes two years of training, with an option to extend for a third year. Activities will be carried out at the Argentine Air Force’s own base, using the country’s F-16s and combining classroom training, advanced simulators and real flights.
This new stage is also supported by the infrastructure built to support the operation of this model. On March 19, the Argentine Air Force announced the inauguration of the Centro de Instrucción y Capacitación de Mantenimiento de F-16 in Tandil, a facility dedicated to technical training and the reduction of external dependencies in order to maintain the fleet’s operational capabilities.
With first flights underway and a structured program for training pilots and maintenance personnel, Argentina is moving forward in effectively integrating the F-16 as the main backbone of its combat operations.
This step establishes a new stage in the process of modernizing the country’s air defense and expanding its airspace response and surveillance capabilities.
Source and image: Ministerio de Defensa Argentina / @MinDefensa_Ar. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
