United States Department of State approved the sale of equipment and related services for F-16 Modernization to the Government of Chile via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channel, at an estimated cost of $634.70 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) submitted the necessary certificate notifying Congress of this sale on the equipment for F-16 modernization.
The contract with an estimated cost of $634.70 million (estimated costs reported by DSCA indicate maximum, contract costs generally lower) includes:
- Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS) (19)
- Inert MK-82 (500LB) general purpose bomb bodies (6)
- MXU-650KB Air Foil Groups (2)
- LN-260 Embedded GPS/INS (44)
- Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radios (49)
Also included are avionics and Mode 5 equipment and software upgrades, integration, and test; software and software support; ARC-238 Radios; Combined Altitude Radar Altimeters (CARA); Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) support; Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) AN/APX-126 Combined Interrogator Transponders, cryptographic appliques, keying equipment, and encryption devices; weapon system spares and support; bomb components; High-Bandwidth Compact Telemetry Modules (HCTMs); secure communications and precision navigation equipment; aircraft displays; additional spare and repair/return parts; publications, charts, and technical documentation; integration and test equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support
After the approved sales request, IChile will be able to enter into an agreement with Lockheed Martin.
It was also stated that “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in South America. The proposed sale will improve Chile’s capability to meet current and future threats by modernizing its F-16 fleet, which will allow Chile to maintain sovereignty and homeland defense, increase interoperability with the United States and other partners, and deter potential adversaries. Chile will have no difficulty absorbing the upgrades into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
