MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine technical mission to China to assess the purchase of jet fighters

Negotiations remain secret but according to Argentine sources the purchase could range between 14 and 20 aircraft, basically the FC-1/F-17

It's official: in the coming weeks a technical delegation from Argentina's Air Force will be travelling to China to assess the convenience of purchasing Chinese jet fighters to replace the obsolete French made Mirages. Only a month ago president Cristina Fernandez was in Beijing where she sealed an “integral strategic alliance” with China.

 Negotiations remain secret but according to Argentine sources the purchase could range between 14 and 20 aircraft, basically the FC-1/F-17 'Thunder' which is manufactured by Chendu Aircraft Corporation in association with Pakistan. The single engine fighter is considered modern, affordable for developing countries, and has been tested in combat.

Another option is the Chengdu J-10B, and according to the website China Military Online, closely linked to the Red Army, this fighter has the capability of confronting the “RAFs' Typhoons stationed in the Falkland Islands”. The website argues that purchasing the FC-1 'would be a waste of money' and the air war expert Xu Yongling points out the J-10B can be equipped with mid-range air to air missiles and close range missiles, comparable to the US AIM-120 and the 'Sidewinder'.

But contrary to previous offers for renewing the Argentine air force fleet, from Spain, France, Israel and Brazil, the Argentine pilots and support teams have no experience with Chinese jets or equipment. This will be the first time that Argentine technicians will assess 'capabilities and logistics“.

”The purchase in China is one of several options on the table to replace the Mirages“, according to sources close to Argentine Defense minister Agustín Rossi in reference to the Spanish refurbished Mirage F1, the French Mirage 2000 and Israel's Kfir offers.

Likewise Argentina's defense links with China are believed to be quite advanced in reference to the supply of 'Malvinas Class' offshore patrol vessels, a polar icebreaker exploration vessel to replace the ”Almirante Irizar” and the 21-ton infantry armored vehicle Norinco VN1 8x8 with 105 mm gun and 120 mm mortar-armed versions, which also includes an amphibious version.

According to Jane's Defense Weekly if the agreement is concluded, it could mark a major step in Argentina's long-standing effort to revive its military capabilities and would constitute a major success for China's 15-year endeavor to expand its military influence and market share in Latin America.

It must also be remembered that in 2011 the Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (Argentine Aircraft Factory: FAdeA) reached an agreement to start co-producing China's Changhe Z-11 light helicopter.