Peru’s Future F-16 Block 70 Pilots to Train at NATO’s Romanian Hub, Lockheed Martin Confirms
At a briefing in Lima on August 25, 2026, Lockheed Martin’s industrial cooperation representative Shawn Douglas Racz laid out how Peru’s roughly $1.8 billion F-16 Block 70 program, announced in April, will move from contract to cockpit. The update was first reported by the Spanish-language defense outlet Infodefensa.
- 12 F-16 Block 70 jets, roughly $1.8 billion package
- Training pipeline: EFTC at Fetești Air Base, Romania
- 4-6 weeks academics, ~20 sim sessions, at least 5 dual-seat sorties
- First delivery slips to 2030 or later
- Industrial offset: planned drone co-production in Peru
Background: The April Selection and Peru’s Fleet Gap
Peru’s government named Lockheed Martin as its F-16 Block 70 supplier on April 23, 2026, a deal intended to replace the Peruvian Air Force’s aging Mirage 2000P and Su-25 fleets. Peru’s leading business daily Gestión reported on August 26 that Lockheed Martin executives had ruled out any delivery before 2030, stressing that exact scheduling will depend on requirements set by the Peruvian Air Force itself.
What the Training Pipeline Looks Like
According to Racz’s Lima briefing, Peruvian pilot candidates will first complete four to six weeks of academic instruction, followed by roughly 20 simulator sessions. Flying training begins with a minimum of five dual-seat F-16 sorties before progressing to solo flights and simulated air-combat maneuvering.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | 12x F-16 Block 70 (Viper) |
| Customer | Peruvian Air Force (FAP) |
| Package value | Approximately $1.8 billion |
| Training site | European F-16 Training Center (EFTC), Fetești Air Base, Romania |
| Syllabus | 4-6 weeks academics, ~20 simulator sessions, minimum 5 dual-seat sorties, progressive solo flying |
| First delivery | From 2030 onward |
Training will run through the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) at Fetești Air Base in Romania. Operational since October 2023 as a joint Dutch-Romanian initiative, the center has already produced graduates from multiple allied air forces, including Ukrainian pilots. Romania itself bolstered its own F-16 fleet in November 2025, taking delivery of 18 used F-16s from the Netherlands under an arrangement valued at roughly €21 million, with the airframes themselves transferred for a nominal €1.
Regional Context: A Wider Latin American Re-Equipment Push
Peru’s F-16 Block 70 decision is one strand of a broader modernization drive across the region. Peruvian media have separately reported that South Korea’s K2 Black Panther has emerged as the frontrunner in a 150-tank army tender, while the Peruvian Navy has been launching a series of landing platform dock vessels built with South Korea’s HD Hyundai. Elsewhere, Chile continues to fly and periodically refuel its own F-16 fleet, underscoring the platform’s enduring relevance to Latin American air forces even as newer options enter the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many F-16 Block 70s did Peru order?
Twelve, under an April 2026 agreement with a total package value of roughly $1.8 billion.
Where will Peruvian pilots train?
At the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) at Fetești Air Base, Romania.
When will the first jets arrive?
Lockheed Martin has ruled out 2029, pointing to 2030 or later for first deliveries.
Is there an industrial offset component?
Yes. Lockheed Martin says it is evaluating local Peruvian suppliers for small-component manufacturing and plans to co-produce an unmanned aerial vehicle in-country.
Which aircraft will the F-16 replace?
Peru’s aging Mirage 2000P and Su-25 fleets.
Has EFTC trained other nations’ pilots before?
Yes, the Dutch-Romanian-run center has trained pilots from multiple NATO and partner air forces, including Ukraine, since 2023.
Conclusion
With first deliveries now pointing to 2030, Peru’s F-16 Block 70 program is shaping up as a long-horizon effort — but locking in a Romanian training pipeline this early signals Lima’s intent to have qualified pilots ready well before the jets themselves arrive. The industrial-offset details still to be finalized will be a key indicator of how deeply Peru’s aerospace sector gets integrated into the broader F-16 supply chain.
