Lockheed Martin Offers Two Options For Selling F-16s to Colombia

Lockheed Martin is offering two F-16 Block 70 packages for the Colombian Air Force, one for 16 and the other for 24, to replace their IAI Kfir fighters.

According to Caracol Radio, the Colombian government has requested a cost estimate from the United States for the purchase of F-16 Block 70s in November 2022.

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the model, submitted two proposals for consideration by the Ministry of Industry and Defense in Bogota.

The first offer is for 24 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, with a total value of $4.2 billion.

This offer includes the training of Colombian pilots, technical personnel, simulators, three years of maintenance, and more.

The second offer is for 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft, along with a training and logistics package valued at $3.12 billion (Rp. 47.1 trillion).

If any of Lockheed Martin's proposals succeed against Dassault and Saab's bids, they guarantee the first three units will be delivered in 2028 and the rest in 2030.

Prior to the arrival of the aircraft, the Colombian Air Force (FAC) had to expand and modernize its air base infrastructure to deploy United States combat aircraft.

As for the offsets offered by the United States, they will consider industry compensation that includes development plans for the Colombian aerospace and cybersecurity industries, as well as support for satellite development.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently stated that he wants his country to become a satellite manufacturer or supplier of parts for the global satellite ecosystem.