A press release issued this week stated that the United States has awarded a new US$31.29 million contract to support Chile’s F-16 fighter aircraft. The contract covers engineering services and technical assistance for aircraft operators, including the Chilean Air Force.
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The award went to Lockheed Martin Corp., based in Fort Worth, Texas. It is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) agreement for engineering and technical support services supplied as required.
According to the US Department of the Air Force, the services will provide technical assistance until each operator develops its own engineering capabilities. Running until 30 June 2029, the contract includes work for F-16 operators across several countries.
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Chile and Argentina are among the countries included
The work will be carried out at Hill Air Force Base in the United States, as well as in Argentina, Bahrain, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey. The agreement forms part of the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme with ten of those countries.
For Chile, the contract supplements the support programme linked to its F-16 fleet. The Chilean Air Force operates F-16C/D Block 50 and F-16AM/BM aircraft, obtained through several co-operation programmes with the United States and the Netherlands.
Argentina is likewise one of the countries in which the contract work will take place. This is relevant to the Peace Condor Programme, which is connected to the introduction and upkeep of the Argentine Air Force’s F-16s.
F-16 support for Chile’s fleet
The new F-16 support contract gives Chile a technical assistance framework that will remain in place until 2029. It does not state how many aircraft will receive support.
It is structured under the IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) model, allowing services to be requested throughout its duration in line with the requirements of participating countries and organisations.
The contract also covers the Argentine fleet
The Lockheed Martin agreement coincides with recent actions taken by the United States and Argentina concerning the Argentine programme. These steps include new contracts related to supporting and maintaining the F-16s acquired by Buenos Aires.
The contract sets a total value of US$31,291,904, although the initial funding obligation is US$297,008. The funds come from Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and were allocated at the time of award.
The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, is the contracting authority. The award was made through a sole-source procurement process and carries contract number FA860426DB008.
Argentina’s inclusion in the same agreement indicates that Lockheed Martin will also deliver services connected with the maintenance of its aircraft.
Images are for illustrative purposes only.
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