Top Aces has secured a $33.2-million multi-year contract to provide F-16 pilot training for the Argentine Air Force, as the country prepares to introduce the fighter into service.
Issued by the US Air Force’s 338th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron and managed by the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron, the training agreement will prepare pilots for operational duty.
The program is designed to support Argentina’s transition to F-16 operations following its acquisition of 24 aircraft from Denmark, part of a broader effort to modernize its air combat capabilities.
Buenos Aires received the first six aircraft in December last year, with President Javier Milei’s government describing the deal as the country’s most significant military acquisition in decades.
Training Program
The training package covers the full F-16 pilot progression pipeline, including mission qualification, flight lead upgrade, and instructor pilot training.
It combines classroom instruction, simulator sessions, and live flight operations, tailored to Argentina’s fleet-specific configuration and operational requirements.
Instruction will be delivered at Argentine Air Force bases by Top Aces pilots, many of whom are former US Air Force personnel with more than 20 years of service and an average of over 2,300 flight hours on the F-16.
Training will be conducted using the Latin American nation’s own aircraft.
Steve Haase, US Group President at Top Aces, stated that “having built a fully operational F-16 enterprise from the ground up, Top Aces is uniquely positioned to train the next generation of Argentine combat leaders on their new and highly capable F-16 platform.”
