The Colombian Air Force may acquire modernized fourth-generation fighters
What is known
Lockheed Martin offers Colombia to purchase 24 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters upgraded to Block 70/72 level. The debut of such an aircraft was presented about two months ago.
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The transaction amount will be $4.2 billion + $0.4 billion forrockets. The price of 24 aircraft is $2.45 billion, i.e. just over $100 million per unit. Colombia will have to pay another $1.75 million for logistics, construction and infrastructure upgrades, training and training of personnel, the supply of simulators and maintenance for three years.
If this option does not suit Colombia, LockheedMartin offers an alternative option - a contract worth $3.13 billion (+$0.4 billion for missiles), but the number of aircraft is reduced by a third. In this case, the cost of one fighter will be approximately $112 million ($1.79 billion for 16 units).
As you can see, regardless of the selected option,Lockheed Martin offers Colombia to pay for missiles separately. We are talking about AGM-84E Harpoon and AGM-154 JSOW. The cost will be approximately $175 million and $225 million, respectively.
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Whichever option Colombia chooses, the planes will have to wait for many years. Lockheed Martin will be able to begin deliveries of upgraded F-16 Viper fighters in 2028.