Argentina declares military secrecy over F-16 program and plans security force raises

The Argentine government, led by President Javier Milei, has issued Decree 735/2026 to classify the export of materials related to the F-16 fighter jet program as military secrets. This measure aims to protect sensitive information regarding the maintenance, updating, and technical support of the aircraft, including engines, spare parts, and weaponry. This is the fourth such restriction applied to the F-16 acquisition program, which involves 24 aircraft purchased from Denmark.

Simultaneously, the administration is preparing a salary increase for the Armed Forces and security forces to address the loss of purchasing power. While the exact amount has not been finalized, the decision was discussed during a high-level political meeting at the Casa Rosada. The move follows long-standing demands from military personnel regarding salary stagnation and debt levels.

Regarding infrastructure, the modernization of the VI Air Brigade in Tandil to accommodate the F-16 fleet is expected to take between two and two and a half years. The program includes significant upgrades to runways, hangars, and technical sectors, with approximately 20 billion pesos allocated in the 2026 budget for these technological updates.