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Just days before one of South America’s most significant exercises gets under way, the deployment of the fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones taking part in Exercise Salitre 2026 is beginning to take shape. From 29 June to 10 July, the Antofagasta Region will host several of the continent’s leading air forces as they test their ability to operate interoperably and respond jointly in a demanding multidomain environment.
Conducted to NATO standards, the operations will aim to strengthen cooperation among participating nations through complex missions designed to coordinate activity across the land, maritime, air, space and cyber domains. Aircrews will therefore form a multinational coalition tasked with ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid and restoring peace in a fictional interstate-conflict scenario. The exercise will also feature simulated attacks, escort missions, suppression of enemy air defences, close air support, cyberattacks and rescue operations. Below is an overview of the principal systems involved in the exercise:
Chilean Air Force
The host nation’s air component will be spearheaded by F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-5 Tigre III fighters, the FACh’s principal combat assets. They will be joined by C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft, MH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, A-29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft and KC-135 Stratotanker tanker aircraft, creating a force able to conduct air-superiority, transport, rescue and tactical-support missions. Although there has been speculation about the possible involvement of E-3 Sentry airborne early-warning aircraft, Chilean authorities have not officially confirmed their attendance.
F-16s and F-5s will form the backbone of Chile’s combat component, supported by transport aircraft, aerial-refuelling assets and tactical helicopters.
Brazilian Air Force
Brazil will provide one of Salitre 2026’s main highlights by deploying its F-39 Gripens, which will undertake their first international operation outside Brazilian territory. The involvement of these new-generation fighters is among the exercise’s biggest attractions and marks an important step in the Brazilian Air Force’s regional projection.
United States Air Force
The United States will supply a combination of air-combat, special-operations and aerospace-surveillance capabilities through the deployment of F-16 aircraft, U-28 Draco aircraft and MQ-9 Reaper drones. The latter currently represent the only confirmed participation of unmanned aerial systems in Salitre 2026.
Argentine Air Force
The Argentine Air Force will take part with IA-63 Pampa advanced trainers and C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft, reaffirming its presence at one of South America’s most significant combined exercises. It will contribute experience in both air operations and logistical-support tasks.
Colombian Aerospace Force
Colombia will send one of the exercise’s most diverse contingents, comprising A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and AH-60L Arpía IV attack helicopters. This mix of assets will enable it to participate in close air-support missions, tactical mobility operations and force-protection tasks.
Paraguayan Air Force
Paraguay’s contribution will consist of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft on their first international deployment, strengthening the exercise’s light-attack component.
Beyond its air component, Salitre 2026 will incorporate Chilean and foreign special forces to carry out rescue missions, non-combatant evacuation and protection of the multinational force. This renewed humanitarian and multidomain focus demonstrates how the exercise has evolved from earlier editions, cementing its status as one of the continent’s foremost combined-training opportunities.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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