Nations in Focus MT 2/2022 · 29 FNSS Savunma Sistemleri; the Black Fox from Hanwha Defense; and Terrex from Singapore Technologies Engineering. In the air, the Army Aviation seeks a new medium transport to replace its three CASA CN-235, while the plan to replace the MD530F used for scout and light attack missions is not progressing, despite testing of the Bell 407GX and Boeing AH-6i in 2014. As far as small arms are concerned, the main change is the acquisition, from 2021, of the IWI Arad rifle, now being delivered to special forces. Air Force Programmes The force’s principal concern is modernisation of the 44 F-16s operated by Air Groups 3, 7 and 8, suspended in 2019. The force expects Congressional approval soon, but this is unlikely to be achieved before next year. The aircraft are expected to serve until at least 2040, although the newest (F-16C/D Block 50) are now 15 years old. In the meantime, the Air Force procured three E-3D Sentrys from the Royal Air Force, which are expected to be delivered very soon. One will be used for spares and the other two will replace the Boeing 707 Condor used for AEW&C missions. The force also received two C-130H from US stocks in 2021, one of them to replace the KC-130R lost in 2019 and the other to replace the last C-130B, retired recently. With them, the force also has another three C-130H and three KC-130R at the Grupo de Aviación Nº10. On the combat aviation front, no replacement for the F-5E/F Tigre III fighters based at Punta Arenas has yet ben decided. These should be retired before 2030, and the possibility of closing the unit has been considered: likely threats are limited and relationships with Argentina (which has no combat units in Patagonia) are good. Offers for ‘previously enjoyed’ aircraft have been received, but nothing substantive decided. Due to the age of the Piranhas, the force is studying their replacement, with an objective of converting motorized infantry units into mechanized infantry, but the programme has to all intents and purposes been halted, despite receipt of several offers: PARS from BAE Systems and Based in Buenos Aires, Santiago Rivas is an aviation and defence professional journalist, writer, photographer and publisher who has been a regular contributor to MilTech for years. Chile’s primary MBT, the Leopard 2A4, is also being upgraded under the Proaco project. (Chilean Army) The Air Force expects to be able to resurrect its plans this year for modernisation of the F-16 fleet. (Photo: Santiago Rivas) The Army is currently working on modernising its Marder 1A3 armoured vehicles under the Proaco programme. (Photo: Chilean Army)
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