President Throws Water On New Fighter Plan

Argentinean President Alberto Fernandez has ruled out the purchase of new fighter jets in the immediate future, reports Defense News.

During an interview last week, Fernandez was asked about long-discussed plans to buy new fighters. He said that “there are other priorities before buying weapons.”

He also noted that “there are no war problems” in South America that would require such a procurement.

Argentina has been mulling the acquisition of new fighter jets for years. Among the options discussed have been the Israeli Kfir, Dassault Mirage F1, Saab Gripen, China’s Chengdu FC-1, South Korean F-50 and Indian Tejas.

Argentina has not operated supersonic fighter jets since 2015, when its last Mirage jets were retired.