For a long time, Argentina wanted to purchase advanced third-generation fighter aircraft from abroad to replace the increasingly aging IA-58 "Pucara" attack aircraft of its own air force and change the role of propeller aircraft in the military. The embarrassing situation of playing the leading role.
Argentina finally negotiated an agreement to purchase JAS39 "Griffin" fighter jets from Sweden and purchase FA-50 "Golden Eagle" trainers/ fighter jets from South Korea, etc., but they were all rejected by its arch-enemy in the Falklands War - the United Kingdom. Because of this, several military aircraft purchase and sale contracts were completely disrupted.
According to Pakistani media, the Argentinian Ministry of National Defense has submitted a draft to the parliament. In the fiscal year 2022 budget, a fund of US$664 million will be allocated to purchase 12 FJ-17 "Thunderbolts" from China Aviation Technology and the Embraer Aviation Manufacturing Consortium. "Block 3 fighter.
The "Thunder" Block3, known in China as the "Fierce Dragon" Block3, is a third-generation fighter jet co-operated by Chengdu Aircraft Group and Pakistan. Pakistan introduced the entire pulse production line from Chengdu Aircraft . In the name of Pakistan, it has been exported to Myanmar, Nigeria and other countries. The export prospects of "Fierce Dragon" Block 3 fighter jets will continue to improve in the future.
Since the Falklands War, Argentina has been unable to obtain military aircraft from the global arms market due to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and other Western countries. In order to supplement its declining domestic air force, Argentina has set its sights on purchasing military aircraft from major eastern countries. This is also an inevitable result of geopolitical development.
Argentina not only spends US$664 million to purchase 12 FJ-17 "Fierce Dragon" Block 3 fighter jets, but also has a very bold idea to become the agent of Chinese military aircraft in South America and sell Chinese military aircraft to Cuba , Peru , Uruguay , Venezuela and other South American countries.
The Argentine Air Force delegation has visited China, conducted flight tests on a number of Chinese advanced fighter jets, including the J-10C, and inspected the fighter jet production and assembly workshop of Chengdu Aircraft Group.
In addition, the head of the Argentine Joint Military Staff, Lieutenant General Juan Martin Pareo and other military entourage visited Pakistan.
It is reported online that the two parties have discussed the possibility of partially modifying the FJ-17 to improve some technical indicators, with China and Brazil providing airframe parts and assembling the fighter aircraft in Argentina.
Based on this, there is a lot of talk on the Internet that Argentina is about to purchase FJ-17 "Thunderbolt" Block 3 fighter jets. Some self-media tweets have concluded that Argentina's purchase of 12 "Fierce Dragon" fighter jets is already a real deal. .
Before Argentina picks up the aircraft, it cannot be ruled out that there will still be certain variables regarding the military aircraft procurement case. Now, in addition to the United States' efforts to promote second-hand and low-priced F-16C/D fighter jets to Argentina, Russian MiG-29 fighter jets have also become the object of inspection by the Argentine Air Force.
F-16, with a flight speed of Mach 1.8, a combat radius of 1,000 kilometers, and a maximum bomb load of 7.8 tons; JF-17, a flight speed of Mach 1.6, a combat radius of 700 kilometers, and a maximum bomb load of 4 tons. There are huge differences in the technical indicators between the two.
MiG-29, especially the addition of F-16 fighter , does make the sales of JF-17 fighter jets subject to certain variables. Although Pakistan is trying its best to promote it, there is no guarantee that the Argentine Air Force will definitely purchase this jointly developed product between China and Pakistan. single-engine light fighter.
Now, Argentina not only intends to purchase Chinese military aircraft, but also intends to join the "BRICS Organization" and become one of its members. On June 28, according to Itar-Tass news agency reported that Iran and Argentina had applied to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism.
China, Russia and other countries are open to this and have stated that they will work with BRIC partners to steadily advance the membership expansion process and allow more like-minded partners to join the BRIC family. This means that Argentina and other countries will soon become the first batch of “BRICS members” to expand their capacity.
Once Argentina purchases Chinese military aircraft and joins the "BRICS", it will mean that Chinese military aircraft enter South America, which will change the geopolitical structure of South America. The most worried about this is Washington.
It is not difficult to understand why, after Washington heard that Argentina would purchase "Fierce Dragon" fighter jets, it tried its best to sell second-hand and extremely low-priced F-16C/D fighter jets to Argentina. The purpose was to prevent Argentina from purchasing Chinese military aircraft. No. I would like to see Chinese military aircraft enter the US sphere of influence in South America.
