The Lockheed Martin A-4AR Fightinghawk is a major upgrade of the McDonnell DouglasA-4M Skyhawk attack aircraft developed for the Argentine Air Force which entered service in 1998. The program was named Fightinghawk in recognition of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which was the source of its new avionics.
In 1989, Carlos Menem was elected President of Argentina and quickly established a pro-United States foreign policy, which led to the country gaining Major non-NATO ally status.[2] During 1994, a counteroffer from the United States to modernize 36 former US Marine CorpsA-4M Skyhawk II under a US$282million deal that would be performed by Lockheed Martin and included the privatization of the Fabrica Militar de Aviones (Military Aircraft Factory – FMA), which was renamed Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina SA (LMAASA) afterward.[citation needed] In 2010, LMAASA reverted to the Argentine government as Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FADEA).[3][4]
The contract stipulated that eight airframes would be refurbished at Lockheed Martin's plant in Palmdale, California and the rest (27) in Córdoba, Argentina at LMAASA. At least ten TA-4J and A-4M airframes for use as spare parts, eight additional engines, and a new A-4AR simulator were also delivered.[citation needed]
The Fightinghawks, having received Air Force serials C-901 to C-936, saw their first group arrive in Argentina on 18 December 1997; the first Argentine A-4AR was rolled out on 3 August 1998 at Cordoba. The last one, number 936, was delivered in March 2000. Two aircraft (a one-seat and a two-seat) remained for a time in the United States for weapons homologation. All A-4ARs were delivered to the 5th Air Brigade (V Brigada Aérea) at Villa Reynolds, San Luis Province, where they replaced two squadrons of aged A-4P (locally known as A-4B) and A-4C. They were soon deployed in rotation around the country from Rio Gallegos in the south to Resistencia in the north where they were used to intercept smugglers and drug trafficking airplanes.[citation needed]
Fly by over the Del Libertador avenue in Buenos Aires, May 2017
In August 2009, they were deployed to Bariloche for the UNASUR Presidents summit. Later that month, they participated at Reconquista, Santa Fe of the Pre-Salitreofficial video an exercise of preparation for the Salitre IIofficial video of next October in Chile with Chile, Brazil, France and the United States.[8][9]
In August 2010, the aircraft enforced a no-fly zone at San Juan for the Mercosur's Presidents Summit. One month later, they were present at Reconquista, Santa Fe for the ICARO III integration manoeuvers.[11]
Argentine Air Force A-4AR Fightinghawk
In January 2016, Argentine Minister of Defence Julio Martinez confirmed that all A-4ARs had been grounded. This was originally due to the expiry of the explosive cartridges in their ejection seats, but additional problems became apparent later on.[12] Only 4-5 were found airworthy with the rest were in storage at Villa Reynolds.[13]
In May 2017, several A-4ARs participated in celebrations marking the 2017 anniversary of the May Revolution.[14]
By 2020, as few as six of the aircraft were still reported as operational.[15] In March 2024, Argentina signed a letter of intent with Denmark to acquire 24 used F-16 fighter aircraft as likely replacements for its Fightinghawks.[16]
On 14 May 2026, the A-4AR was officially retired from service and replaced by ex-Danish F-16Ms, due high maintenance costs and difficulties keeping airframes operational.[17]
Argentine Air Force – 36 received (32 A-4AR, 4 OA-4AR); as few as 6 reported operational in 2020;[18] operational availability reported in 2022 at perhaps 13-22% (3-5 aircraft) of 23 aircraft[19]
Specifications (A-4AR Fightinghawk)
Orthographically projected diagram of the A-4 Skyhawk.
↑Centeno, Gabriel (14 May 2026). "A-4 Skyhawk: e agora, sobra o Brasil"[A-4 Skyhawk: Only Brazil left now]. Tecnologia & Defesa (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 15 May 2026.
.jpg)
