The President of Peru announced the selection of the F-16 Block 70 as the future multirole fighter for the Peruvian Air Force.

In a recent interview, Peru’s President, José María Balcázar, stated unequivocally that the country has selected and will proceed to purchase F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from the United States. His remarks, made during an appearance on the programme “Hablemos Claro”, appear to draw a line under the long-running selection process aimed at replacing the Peruvian Air Force’s current Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 fleets.

A decision had been anticipated by the middle of last year, but the timeline repeatedly slipped over subsequent months. Up until the Peruvian President’s comments, three contenders remained on the Peruvian Air Force’s so-called short list: Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70, Saab’s Gripen E/F and Dassault’s Rafale.

Asked specifically about Peru’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China, the President argued that Peru must maintain the best possible ties with the Asian giant, while also sustaining relations with the United States-described as a long-standing regional partner-within which the choice of the new Viper would sit.

He went on to add-without providing further detail-that the previous administration had signed agreements with the US Government, and that this course would be maintained because the current approach is institutional in nature.

Finally, based on what is officially known and what was authorised by the US Department of State in September 2025, the proposed sale package-processed through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme-consists of twelve (12) F-16 Block 70 fighters. Of these, ten (10) would be single-seat F-16C aircraft and two (2) would be twin-seat F-16D aircraft.

The deal, valued at US$ 3.420 billion, also covers associated services and logistical support. In addition, it includes the supply of weapons, notably long-range AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles-the most advanced version available to export customers-supplemented by twelve (12) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, along with M61A1 cannons and LAU-129 guided-rocket launchers.

Update: Peru’s F-16 Block 70 selection

Within hours of the Peruvian President’s statements, the presidency issued a further communiqué. While it clarifies that the evaluation and selection process remains open, it does not at any point refute the President’s remarks regarding the direction in which the process is heading for the acquisition of 24 multirole fighters.

The official statement from the presidency is shared below:

Developing story.

Photographs used for illustrative purposes.