The Peruvian Air Force is planning to purchase a new fleet of fighters, information confirmed by Peru’s Minister of Defense, Walter Enrique Astudillo Chávez.
Currently, Peru’s fighters are the Mirage 2000P and the MiG-29, both in service for more than three decades.
The defense ministry itself revealed who the candidates are. A video published on its social networks shows that the choice should be between the F-16 Block 70 (United States), the Dassault Rafale (France) and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen (Sweden).
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According to the Zona Militar website, the Peruvian Air Force will have US$2 billion to renew its fleet, through financing from Banco de la Nación. There will be 24 new aircraft and the process will take place in two phases.
South Korean fighter jet is an outsider
Despite the Ministry of Defense’s preference for the three aircraft mentioned, it will not be a surprise if the choice falls on the South Korean FA-50 light fighter, produced by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and used by the South Korean Air Force and Poland.
The Asian manufacturer has a partnership with SEMAN Perú S.A.C, a state-owned company that maintains, repairs and manufactures civil, military and commercial aircraft.
The agency also produces 250 different structural parts for the Golden Eagle – a KAI aircraft that operates in seven different countries – and could supply components for the FA-50 fighter itself. Such closeness could facilitate the negotiation.
The FA-50, however, is a less capable aircraft than the F-16, Rafale and Gripen. KAI’s solution to these competitors is the new KF-21 Boramae fighter.
The aircraft is already in an advanced stage of development, with six prototypes undergoing flight tests and pre-series production about to begin.
The South Korean manufacturer has plans to export it in a specific variant, but no agreement has been announced so far.
