Objections are raised to Chile’s F-16 buy

The Washington Post

SANTIAGO, Chile — Despite objections at home and abroad, the Chilean military has reached a preliminary agreement with Lockheed Martin to buy 10 latest-generation F-16 fighter jets in the most significant U.S. weapons sale to Latin America in almost two decades.

Sources close to the negotiations said they expect a letter of agreement to be signed by President Ricardo Lagos within 60 days, essentially closing a $637 million deal that some analysts called a delicate test of Lagos’ presidency.

For Lagos, the first Socialist president here since Salvador Allende was ousted by Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s coup in 1973, the deal would represent an important thaw in relations with Chilean generals, who were critical of recent efforts to put Pinochet on trial here. But critics say it may also spark a new Latin American arms race while essentially upgrading a military that has never been purged since Pinochet’s ruthless 17-year rule ended in 1990.

Neighboring Peru has expressed concern that the sale represents an unnecessary, even threatening, military buildup. President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil has appealed for Chile to postpone the purchase. But more troubling for Lagos is that public support for the deal at home appears to be low. Many Chileans, analysts said, view the purchase as too costly, especially at a time when the nation is feeling the pinch of a global economic slowdown.

To make the contract more palatable, the military agreed to put off its request for two Boeing KC-135A tankers that were initially part of the package, shaving $78 million off the price tag.

Military officials here have sought to modernize their aging air force fleet since the mid-1990s. Advocates for the purchase say that Chile is merely trying to catch up with its neighbors. Most of its fleet of French-made Mirage and U.S.-made A-37 Dragonfly jets is more than 20 years old.

Chileans entered into talks with Lockheed Martin in 1997. That was the year the Clinton administration, arguing that U.S. companies should be allowed to compete for the contract against European rivals, broke with a longstanding U.S. policy prohibiting advanced weapons sales to Latin America.

The Bush administration backed the decision, and Chile received final permission from the Pentagon and Congress in June, leading to a conclusion of negotiations this month, sources said. The fighters, F-16C/D jets with modern targeting and radar, would be the most sophisticated military aircraft ever sold by the United States to a Latin American nation, analysts said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.