Argentine Air Force visits elite U.S. electronic warfare squadron ahead of F-16 upgrades
First engagement between the Argentine Air Force and the USAF's most advanced electronic warfare squadron
Between May 20 and 22, a delegation from the Argentine Air Force (FAA) conducted an official visit to the U.S. Air Force’s 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron (68th EWS), based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The delegation included members of the F-16 “Peace Condor” Program and electronic warfare specialists, focusing on the future integration of the JAMMER self-protection system that will equip the F-16 fighters recently acquired from Denmark.
The visit was conducted under strict confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of the technical knowledge shared and marked the FAA’s first formal contact with one of the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced electronic warfare units.
Such exchanges are a required step within the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which facilitates capability transfers to strategic allies. In this case, the goal was to lay the groundwork for the doctrinal and technical integration of advanced electronic warfare systems—vital for aircraft survivability in modern combat scenarios.
Self-protection for Argentina’s F-16s
The upcoming installation of the JAMMER system on the FAA’s F-16s is a key component in building an interoperable air defense architecture aligned with NATO standards. These systems allow aircraft to jam, degrade, or deceive enemy radars, significantly enhancing their ability to penetrate and evade threats in contested environments.
While no technical details were disclosed due to the classified nature of the information, the involvement of the 68th EWS suggests that the Argentine F-16 configuration will be compatible with modular electronic warfare systems used by key U.S. allies in Europe and the Middle East.
Further integration into the global F-16 community
The Eglin visit is part of a broader series of milestones the FAA has achieved in the first half of the year, aimed at ensuring the full operational capability and autonomy of its F-16 fleet. Recently, Argentine personnel participated for the first time in the global user conference for F100-PW-220/229 engines, hosted by Pratt & Whitney in Oklahoma—formally integrating into the international sustainment network for the jet’s powerplant.
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Meanwhile, Argentina’s VI Air Brigade in Tandil now operates an advanced tactical simulation center, replicating the cockpit and software of the Danish F-16s. This facility enables training in Live, Virtual & Constructive (LVC) mission modes—a groundbreaking capability in the regional defense landscape.
AUTOR
Apasionado por la aviación, la historia, la política y la defensa. Editor-in-Chief en Aviacionline Defensa, combinando estos conocimiento para ofrecer un contenido valioso sobre temas estratégicos y de seguridad.
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