The Rio Times · September 27, 2026

Bad weather delays the arrival of six Argentine F-16s waiting in the Canary Islands

A second batch of six F-16 fighter jets purchased by Argentina from Denmark is stranded at the Gando Air Base in Gran Canaria, awaiting favorable weather conditions to cross the Atlantic en route to Brazil and then to Córdoba. The arrival, originally scheduled for Saturday and then for Sunday, has been postponed until next Wednesday. Local media and the Brazilian website Sociedade Militar cited Tropical Storm Gonzalo, near Cape Verde, as a possible cause of the delay along the route.

The aircraft need to refuel in the air several times during the transatlantic leg to Natal, for which the U.S. Air Force dispatched three KC-135 tanker aircraft from Florida. With this second group, Argentina will have received 12 of the 24 F-16s purchased from Denmark for approximately $301 million, as part of a re-equipment program launched during the administration of Javier Milei, who presided over the official presentation of the first batch in Río Cuarto last December. Defense Minister Carlos Presti said the addition reflects the “commitment to the comprehensive re-equipment” of the armed forces.

Via The Rio Times