Argentinas purchase of American F-16s halts Beijings momentum Analysts

Argentina expert Christopher Ecclestone of London described the decision as "pretty inevitable," attributing it to the pro-democracy and anti-communist stance of the recently elected Argentine President Javier Milei.

Chinese pundits expressed disappointment when Argentina opted to purchase 24 F-16s from Denmark instead of considering China's offer. Rick Fisher, a senior fellow at the Washington-based International Assessment and Strategy Centre, warned against Argentina's potential alignment with Beijing, suggesting that deepening military, political, and economic cooperation with China would have adverse effects on the US.

Fisher warned that if China had succeeded in selling its jets and other weapons to Argentina, it would have gained access to the country's defence and security infrastructure. This, he added, could have prompted other Latin American nations to adopt a similar approach.

Analysts also noted the significance of Milei's decision to collaborate more extensively with the United States, including establishing a naval facility near the Strait of Magellan.

China's determination to collaborate with Argentina in developing the naval facility had received significant attention. During a recent speech, Milei announced that Argentina and the US would collaborate closely on constructing the Ushuaia Naval facility. Milei made these remarks after travelling from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia with US Army four-star General Laura Richardson, as reported by Voice of America.

Richardson's visit to Argentina marked her third since assuming leadership of the US Southern Command in October 2021. She outlined additional planned or ongoing US arms exports and investments in Latin America, indicating heightened attention to the region in response to China's growing influence.

In addition to providing Argentina with F-16 fighters and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft at the end of an 11-month lease, Richardson mentioned plans to supply 250 Stryker armoured vehicles.

Discussions have also taken place regarding the establishment of a plant in Argentina for maintaining the Strykers. Richardson also mentioned other equipment, such as King Air Aircraft and P-3 observation planes, which could support Argentina's coastal patrols.

Additionally, Richardson disclosed that the United States was close to completing the construction of an emergency operations centre in the western region of Neuquen, Argentina.

This region is where Beijing has operated a deep-space station since 2018. Experts suggest that the station functions akin to a Chinese military outpost abroad and is closely linked to electronic and space warfare activities, including tracking and surveillance—an assertion China denies.

Image source: ANI