"Military Report," from Air Progress
Subsonic South. Air.Forces of Latin America are getting tired of being treated like poor relation dressed in castoffs from rich uncle. With military aircraft averaging 18 years old, they want...
...was expressed recently by William E. Lang, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs...
...Commander of Venezuelan AF visited Sweden to negotiate for Mach 2 J.35 Drakens to modernize force of British' Vampire and Venom fighterbombers and F-86F day fighters...
...Several Latin American air forces have indicated they would settle for Northrop F-5, which U.S...
...first-line supersonic jet fighters...
...U.S...
...though U.S...
...Exception occurred in early 1950's...
...Presumably, planes he referred to are Cessna AT-37D, North American OV-1 OA, Lockheed C-130, and Fairchild F-27 and F-227 STOL transports...
...If all else fails, it may-as it has in past-step in at last minute with compromise offer of newer aircraft...
...view is that countries of South America need to spend money on improving welfare of their people, not on high-performance aircraft...
...It has been good deal for Uncle Sam for...
...Now, thanks in part to U.S...
...Throughout most of past 20 years, Latin American countries, lacking money to buy warplanes on open market, have been willing to settle for bargain-priced U.S...
...resumed its aid program, that action effectively cut off further inroads by European suppliers, except for helicopters and similar equipment which U.S...
...economic aid, some countries are in good enough financial shape to decide they can afford something better in way of military aircraft...
...But U.S...
...Total military aircraft inventory in Latin America numbers about 2,000, made up of 110 types, all subsonic and dating from late '40's to mid-'50's...
...loaned money to Latin Americans to pay for planes, they agreed to pay it back...
...forces, enabled U.S...
...Argentina thought it had concluded arrangement with U.S...
...One is an inexpensive and simple counterinsurgency (COIN) airplane...
...reasons, its neighbors would be forced-for prestige, if not defense-to buy some, too...
...Peru, still flying prop-driven F-47 Thunderbolts along with F-86 Sabrejets, F-80 Shooting Stars, and some British Hunter F.52 fighters, is talking about buying 16 supersonic English Electric F.2 Lightnings...
...Sales experts figure potential military aircraft market at $100 million...
...Chile, also equipped with F-80's and F-86's, is discussing purchase of Mirage III's from France...
...felt wouldn't upset arms balance...
...Resulting arms race would further depress living standards of average Latino family, could embroil part of continent in military incidents or war...
...If one country should get modern fighter planes, U.S...
...a hand in their economic affairs, got rid of older planes to make way for newer ones in U.S...
...This gave U.S...
...Though subsonic, Skyhawk would still be most potent fighter in any Latin American country...
...has made available to 13 countries in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia, plus Canada, but not yet to Latin America...
...With military aircraft averaging 18 years old, they want more modern combat planes, like U.S...
...aircraft discarded by Air Force and Navy...
...continuing to deny first-line product, they are again turning to Europe for possible deals...
...may still be able to exert influence to block purchases, by threatening to cut off other economic aid, by refusing to issue export licenses for U.S.-made or licensed equipment in foreign aircraft, or by pressure on selling countries, particularly Britain...
...The second is a good, inexpensive medium transport with which the Latin American air forces can help open the frontiers (of their countries...
...With U.S...
...to assign military advisers to work with South American air forces, and kept them from building significant military threat in Western hemisphere...
...When U.S., embroiled in Korean war, had no surplus to sell, Britain moved in to furnish Hunter fighters and Vampire and Venom fighter-bombers...
...But as U.S...
...Primary mission of the Latin American (air) forces," he said, "can be met by two basic aircraft...
...Typical attitude of U.S...
...U.S...
...for 50 Douglas A-4B Skyhawks...
...With this kind of treatment, it's understandable they've also shown interest in Mirage III's, following recent buy from France of 45 T-28's which had been employed in fighter-bomber role in Algeria...
...Still another prospect for Dassault fighter is Brazil, though it's in worst shape financially of Latin America's "big five" countries, and may have to delay for while longer replacing its Gloster Meteor F.8's and F-80's...
...later cut 25 A-4's from deal, and as of now it's not at all certain Argentines will get any...
...Instead, Uncle Sam offers remodeled trainers and transports...
Vol. 1 • February 1967 • No. 1
