South America24 September, 20262 min read
Javier Milei Seeks To Rearm Argentina With Donald Trump, Including F-16 Fighter Jets
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Milei's UN address reiterates Argentina's Falklands claim and seeks stronger U.S. backing. Trump-backed support backs Milei’s plan to rearm Argentina with fighters and armored vehicles.
5 outlets told this the same way.
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Rearmament and the Malvinas
Javier Milei sought to rearm Argentina with the help of Donald Trump, as Folha de S.Paulo described a small arms race that includes fighters, armored vehicles, helicopters, and ammunition. Donald Trump’s support for Milei’s bid to be re-elected president of Argentina in 2027 goes beyond rhetorical backing of Buenos Aires’ claim to the British Falkland Islands, known in the region as the Malvinas. Argentina agreed to buy 24 used American F-16 fighter jets from Denmark for US$300 million over five years, with a second batch of six aircraft expected soon.
“The most striking deal is the purchase of 24 used American F-16 fighter jets from Denmark for US$300 million over five years.”
Milei announced a new naval base and proposed penalties for oil exploration around the archipelago, while Trump used the Falklands card to pressure the United Kingdom to spend more on defense. Argentina spent only 0.5% of GDP in 2025, or US$3.7 billion, on defense, including retirees, and ranked 46th globally and 5th in Latin America.
UN speech and diplomacy
Javier Milei took the Malvinas to the UN in New York, demanding to resume negotiations after a meeting between Donald Trump and the British prime minister, as La Gaceta described. Milei delivered a 19-minute speech defining the Malvinas as “a national cause,” questioning the UN for not enforcing its own resolutions, and urging the United Kingdom to resume negotiations. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno responded from the Argentine bench and argued that the Government’s strategy moved the situation and forced the United Kingdom to address the issue with Trump.
Trump and Burnham discussed the Iran crisis, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and immigration policies, and they reaffirmed their strategic alliance in transatlantic security. Burnham promised before the House of Commons that she would be “relentless” in defending British sovereignty.
Milei attacks the UN
Javier Milei attacked the UN from the speaker’s platform at the General Assembly, calling it an “useless organization” and accusing its leaders of failing to guarantee collective security and defend human rights, i24NEWS reported. Milei said, “It has become a useless organization that only serves to feed a caste of parasites of deadly arrogance, disguised as well‑intentioned bureaucrats,” as he argued that the UN allowed chaos, violence and international terrorism to thrive. Milei reproached the UN for its attitude in the dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Malvinas, a British overseas territory claimed by Buenos Aires under that name.
Milei accused the UN of “averting its gaze” from Argentina’s claims and denounced a system where “Those who follow the rules gain no benefit, while those who violate them suffer absolutely no consequences.” Milei framed his broadside as part of his broader pattern of denouncing international institutions in prior UN speeches, while presenting himself as a close ally of Donald Trump and an outspoken supporter of Israel.