The first batch of 18 F-16s sold to Chile by the Netherlands have taken off from Leeuwarden Air Base to fly to Antofagasta.

The F-16s will first stop in Gran Canaria, after which they will cross over into Brazil and fly to the final destination in Antofagasta, where the aircraft will be delivered to the Chilean Air Force.

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The sale of 18 F-16 fighter aircraft is one of the measures in the Wereldwijd dienstbaar policy adopted in 2007.

Chile has already purchased an initial batch of 18 Dutch F-16s in 2006 for the country’s air force.

After the sale, the number of combat aircraft in the Royal Netherlands Air Force has been reduced from 105 to 87 aircraft, of which 14 are for training.

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