Chile Commits to Purchase F-16 Fighters

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Chile signed a $500 million deal February 1 to receive 10 F16C/D fighter aircraft from the United States. The deal marks the first sale of advanced U.S. weaponry to a Latin American country since President Bill Clinton's August 1997 decision to rescind a 20year-old policy effectively barring such transfers.

Engine and weapons contracts for the F-16 fighters are being concluded separately from the February 1 deal. Chilean Defense Minister Michelle Bachelet said January 30 that the total package would cost Chile approximately $660 million over the next nine years.

Deliveries of the combat jets to Chile will take place in 20052006. Lockheed Martin, which is the U.S. builder …