Overview
- Hours after President José María Balcázar said Peru would buy U.S. F-16s under a prior agreement, an official communiqué stated the acquisition process has not ended and no aircraft has been selected.
- The government outlined a multi-stage procedure that includes FAP evaluations, COSEDENA review, a recommendation by the Armed Forces Purchasing Agency, and a Comptroller’s opinion before negotiations and any contract.
- Reporting notes the U.S. cleared a possible sale of 12 F-16 Block 70 jets for about US$3.42 billion, while Peru’s planning envisions roughly US$3.5 billion for 24 aircraft, a discrepancy driving questions over cost and quantity.
- Former prime minister Ernesto Álvarez rejected claims of a finished decision under José Jerí, saying the file remains under Comptroller review and any model choice is still pending.
- The Defense Ministry separately defended recent U.S. Government-to-Government purchases such as parachute systems acquired via FMS, saying the gear is certified, operational, and used in training.