Peruvian Air Force to equip F-16 Block 70 jets with Viper Shield

The Peruvian Air Force will equip its new F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets with the Viper Shield electronic warfare (EW) system, L3Harris Technologies has confirmed. Developed in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and the United States Air Force, the system is designed to detect, identify, and neutralize electronic threats, including enemy radars and missile guidance systems.

The Viper Shield is highly modular and can be integrated directly into the aircraft or utilized via an external pod. This versatility allows for hardware compatibility between internal and modular configurations, which is expected to reduce long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs. The system is software-based, allowing for updates to counter evolving electromagnetic threats.

This acquisition is part of a larger program to restore Peru's aerospace control and precision capabilities. Peru previously signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for an initial batch of 12 F-16C/D aircraft, part of a broader investment totaling approximately 2 billion USD approved through the 2025 fiscal year budget.