Peru's transition president José Jerí has authorized a significant transfer for the purchase of 24 fighter jets totaling nearly $340 million, as his final act in office.
José Jerí, the outgoing transition president of Peru, made headlines this Tuesday by authorizing a substantial transfer of funds as part of his administration's final decisions. This transfer, amounting to 1.137 billion soles (approximately $340 million or €287 million), represents the first step in a multi-billion dollar plan to acquire 24 advanced fighter jets. Overall, the complete acquisition is projected to cost around $3.5 billion. This action comes amidst the backdrop of Jerí's imminent censorship and highlights the urgency with which he approached this deal.
The authorization was formalized through a supreme decree, published in the official newspaper El Peruano, where Jerí’s final directive was presented alongside the signatures of his ministers, Denisse Miralles (Economy and Finance) and César Díaz (Defense). The decree indicated that these funds are aimed at enhancing Peru's military capabilities, specifically in terms of aerospace control and the effectiveness of military operations utilizing high-performance fighter aircraft, particularly designed for the Air Force's operations in Arequipa.
While this funding marks only a small fraction (less than 10%) of the total anticipated cost for the fighter jet acquisition, it signals a significant commitment to modernizing Peru’s military assets during a turbulent political phase. Critics may view this action as a last-minute endeavor to solidify military spending before facing potential removal from office; however, supporters might argue that strengthening national defense should remain a priority regardless of political circumstances.
