This is the country with the greatest "air power" in all of South America and few people know it.

In a context increasingly shaken by armed conflicts and increasingly intense wars , security and defense have returned to the center of global political and budgetary agendas. Although Latin America has historically maintained low levels of investment in this area, one nation has begun to modernize its air fleets and renew its infrastructure.

Evidencing a strategic shift that responds both to domestic needs and the new global geopolitical landscape, Brazil is emerging as the country with the greatest air power in South America. While Argentina officially unveiled its first F-16 fighter jet, recently acquired from Denmark, comparative data show that Brazil clearly leads the region in military air capability, with 185 operational combat aircraft, a figure that places it far ahead of its neighbors. And this leadership can also be measured in technological quality.

(READ MORE : This is the prettiest surname in all of Colombia, says the AI )

The regional air giant

As highlighted in an article published by CNN Latin America , Brazil not only has a large fleet, but also a diverse and constantly modernizing one. Added to its already robust arsenal—which includes 47 F-5 Tiger II fighters and 24 AMX A-1 attack aircraft—are the Saab Gripen E/F, state-of-the-art supersonic fighters of Swedish origin. So far, six units have been received, but the agreement with Saab contemplates the delivery of dozens more, some of which will be manufactured in Brazil.

This agreement makes Brazil the first country in Latin America to produce fifth-generation fighters , consolidating its position as the most developed air power on the continent.

In contrast, Argentina is trying to regain ground after decades of underinvestment . The recent purchase of 24 F-16 fighter jets from Denmark, for over US$300 million, is the country's largest air acquisition in decades. However, these aircraft have not yet been incorporated into the Air Force, and until they are, the country remains without operational supersonic fighter jets.

Currently, Argentina has only 22 combat aircraft, including subsonic A-4AR Fightinghawks and IA-63 Pampa trainers. And the country's defense spending remains below 1% of GDP, one of the lowest in the region.

(READ MORE: What does it mean for a person to be very organized, according to psychology? )

Air power in South America

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) 2024 Military Balance , air capacity in the region is led by the following countries (in terms of number of operational combat aircraft):

• Brazil: 185 • Mexico: 80 • Venezuela: 79 • Chile: 76 • Colombia: 64 • Peru: 60 • Argentina: 22

• Honduras: 17

Countries like Chile also stand out for their early incorporation of F-16s, while Colombia maintains an active fleet of Israeli Kfirs. Venezuela, for its part, operates both F-16s and advanced Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30s. While international conflicts have boosted global defense spending—which reached a record US$2.4 trillion in 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)—Latin America remains lagging.

According to the World Bank, Colombia is the only country in the region that exceeds the 2% threshold and allocates 3.1% of its product to Defense , while Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina are among those with the least resources, below 1%.

However, global uncertainty, geopolitical pressure, and the need to modernize obsolete fleets could push more countries in the region to strengthen their strategic power.