The British government blocks delivery of UK-designed hardware, which includes Martin-Baker ejection seats found in many military jets, as well as avionics systems and other advanced electronics.
That embargo has been a major barrier to Washington’s plan to build up Argentina and encourage it to buy Western-made weapons.
The F-16 deal may have been done before Mr Trump returned to power and it would have been unaffected by the British embargo. But it illustrates what is at stake.
The deal for the Danish planes came about when Argentina started looking to China and a deal for its JF-17 fighters.
The US stepped in with an alternative deal. In doing so, it can bolster Argentina and its ability to help pursue American interests, and reduce the influence of Beijing, which has missed no opportunity to make friends in South America.
2 Comments
***The Telegraph reports:***
The arrival of six secondhand F-16 fighter jets from Denmark marked the [return of supersonic fighter capability](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/10/britain-in-talks-with-argentina-falklands-era-weapon-ban/) for the Argentine air force after decades of British sanctions post-Falklands War.
They flew over Buenos Aires in formation on Saturday with the three US air force tankers that refuelled them as they made the transatlantic journey.
Washington was the driving force behind the deal, part of a plan to modernise Argentina’s creaking armed forces.
In so doing, Donald Trump’s administration has been able to strengthen a key ally in South America and keep Chinese influence at bay.
It explains another plank of Washington’s strategy.
The Telegraph has learnt that Washington has played a crucial role in smoothing defence discussions [between Buenos Aires and London.](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/10/britain-in-talks-with-argentina-falklands-era-weapon-ban/)
The British government blocks delivery of UK-designed hardware, which includes Martin-Baker ejection seats found in many military jets, as well as avionics systems and other advanced electronics.
That embargo has been a major barrier to Washington’s plan to build up Argentina and encourage it to buy Western-made weapons.
The F-16 deal may have been done before Mr Trump returned to power and it would have been unaffected by the British embargo. But it illustrates what is at stake.
The deal for the Danish planes came about when Argentina started looking to China and a deal for its JF-17 fighters.
The US stepped in with an alternative deal. In doing so, it can bolster Argentina and its ability to help pursue American interests, and reduce the influence of Beijing, which has missed no opportunity to make friends in South America.
**Read more**: [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/12/11/why-trump-wants-to-arm-argentina/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/12/11/why-trump-wants-to-arm-argentina/)
To tick off Brazil?