For the first time, a Chilean KC-135 refueled two US F-35s that will participate in FIDAE 2026, marking the traditionally strong strategic ties between Chile and the US.
A KC-135E tanker aircraft of the Chilean Air Force (FACh) refueled two F-35A Lightning II of the United States Air Force for the first time, the service and US Southern Command. (SOUTHCOM) said on April 5, 2026. The stealth planes were headed to the South American country’s FIDAE 2026 defense exhibition, which is being held in Santiago from April 7 to 12.
SOUTCOM called it a representation of “Western Hemisphere partnership and preparedness,” adding that they are “united […] to guarantee security and stability in the region.” The FACh said that the operation demonstrated “interoperability and a high level of preparation of military aviators.”
Both fighters are part of the F-35 Lightning II demonstration team. According to flight tracking account ‘Displays of crowns‘, the two F-35As arrived at Santiago’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport on April 4.
Historical: #FACH Carried out a successful in-flight refueling of USAF F-35 aircraft, using a KC-135 in international airspace. The operation demonstrates interoperability and high level of preparation of military aviators. pic.twitter.com/9m4WjDaiNw
— Chilean Air Force (@FACh_Chile) April 5, 2026
They were supported by a KC-135R Stratotanker from MacDill AFB, Florida, before the FACh’s KC-135E took control of international airspace. The official website of the exhibition also reported on March 22 confirmation of the presence of a US Navy P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine and maritime patrol aircraft, which will be stationed at the Pudahel air base.
We confirm the presence of the P-8 Poseidon of the @USNavy in the next edition of #FIDAE2026.
📅 April 7 – 12
📍Pudahuel Air Base pic.twitter.com/Yc4Ak8rgyQ— FIDAE (@FIDAE_OFICIAL) March 22, 2026
An Airbus A400M and an Embraer KC-190 Millenium also landed in Chile for FIDAE 2026, the exhibition page announced on April 5 and April 6respectively. These aircraft are expected to participate in a future transport aircraft tender program to be announced by the FACh, as it launches a series of modernization programs.
The deployment in Chile is one of many steps by the United States to consolidate its traditional influence in Latin America’s backyard, the latest being the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. U.S. Navy elements from that deployment are still active in the Caribbean Sea, with the USS Iwo Jima Helicopter Landing Dock (LHD) and USS San Antonio conducting routine operations.
With President Donald Trump’s hard line toward Cuba against the government there, the F-35s in Chile mark Washington’s strategic resurgence in Central and South America, after decades of involvement in West Asia.
Chile-United States ties and Chilean Air Force fleet
The US Air Force had previously participated in FIDAE, sending the F-22 Raptor demonstration team in both 2022 and 2024. The 2022 edition also saw a B-52 Stratofortress flyover.
The refueling of the F-35s from the FACh’s KC-135Es reflects the traditionally close strategic and diplomatic ties between Chile and the US. This is especially true considering that the KC-135Es are former US Air Force aircraft that were later sold to Chile.
Western Hemisphere Partnership and Preparedness:
A KC-135 of the Chilean Air Force provides in-flight refueling for two people @usaairforce F-35 Lighting II plane near Chile. The fighters are part of a demonstration team in Chile for the FIDAE aerospace fair in Santiago from April 7 to… pic.twitter.com/i4igCSjxRY
— US Southern Command (@Southcom) April 5, 2026
The rest of the FACh inventory is overwhelmingly American. Chile operates three KC-135Es that it received from the United States starting in 2010, with the The last one arrived on March 9, 2012. at the facilities of Aviation Group No. 10 at Pudauel Air Base.
The KC-135E meets the refueling needs of the FACh’s 46 F-16 Fighting Falcons, divided into 11 F-16C/D Block 50 and 35 F-16AM/BM Block 15/20 MLU aircraft. Eleven two-seat F-16Bs and F-16Ds are used as trainers.
Thirty-six F-16s are also scheduled to be upgraded to the M6.6 operational flight program, following a $177 million contract awarded to Lockheed in November 2023 under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
The service also operates three E-3D Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, according to the World Air Forces Report 2026. These were received in 2022 following their acquisition from the Royal Air Force (RAF), with two operational aircraft and one used to collect spare parts.
🇺🇸🇨🇱 | It is not just fuel that is transferred… it is interoperability, precision and a clear message: Chile is ready to operate at the highest level. It is concrete proof that the @FACh_Chile plays in the major leagues of world military aviation #Capabilities https://t.co/JPtEWY2scr pic.twitter.com/c0VvB9AxuX
—Lautaro (@Lautaro_Chile) April 6, 2026
Chile also has other tanker transport planes, specifically four KC-130R received from the US Navy between 2015 and 2016, three of which are already operational. They are used to refuel the FACh’s 13 F-5E/F Tiger IIIs, and the ‘F’ variants are used as trainers. Group 10 also operates other US-origin aircraft for transport/utility roles, including a Boeing B-767-300ER, a B-737-330QC and a B-737-58N.
Modernization of the Chilean F-16
As mentioned above, the $177 million November 2023 contract to upgrade 36 F-16 Block A/B 15/20s is expected to be completed by September 30, 2032, with work to be performed in Fort Worth, Texas. The procurement notice says the M6.6 program comprises an “operational flight program and systems upgrade, including a software upgrade to incorporate the universal weapons interface.”
Defense newsCiting Lockheed Martin officials, they said the FACh will also receive upgrades that include the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system and a Link 16 tactical data link system. The upgrades will keep the F-16s relevant into the 2040s, when they are expected to begin retirement.
It is also expected that improvement work will be carried out in the FACh maintenance workshops in Santiago and Antofagasta.
