Argentina negotiates with France for Mirage aircraft

PARIS, June 17 (UPI) -- Argentina is reportedly negotiating with France to purchase F-1 Mirage fighter aircraft.

The talks also involve the possible purchase of engines to power 20 Argentinian Pucaras aircraft that are currently grounded.

"The transaction provides excellent value, and under very favorable conditions," Defense Minister Julio Martinez told La Nacion during a visit to France. "The Argentine Air Force cannot do without supersonic aircraft. Our pilots must be able to train in modern aircraft."

Martinez declined to detail the financial details of a possible deal since "negotiations are not finished," the newspaper said.

He acknowledged that the United States has offered to sell Argentina F-16 fighter fighters but the Mirage would better fulfill the needs of the country.

"The operating cost of the F-16 makes them almost prohibitively expensive," he said.

Argentina had previously been in talks with Israel for their Kfir fighter.

The Defense minister was in Paris to attend the Eurostatory 2016 defense exhibition and also met with his French counterpart.