In a year marked by shifting alliances and military modernization, Argentina is poised to enter a new era in both its diplomatic and defense landscapes. At the center of this transformation stands Peter Lamelas, a 66-year-old medical entrepreneur and close confidant of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been nominated to serve as the next American ambassador to Buenos Aires. Lamelas’s impending arrival, expected after September 21, 2025, when the U.S. Senate resumes sessions and is likely to approve his appointment, comes at a time of unprecedented ideological alignment between the administrations of President Javier Milei and the United States.
According to diplomatic observers cited by Zona Militar, "There hasn’t been a better moment in the bilateral relationship since 1975." Over the past six months, the two governments have prioritized cooperation in security and defense, with Argentina’s National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich serving as a linchpin of continuity from the era of former President Mauricio Macri. This period has seen the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires facilitating initiatives such as the first deportation flight from the United States to Argentina, coordinated by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Bullrich, underscoring the deepening partnership.
Lamelas’s appointment, however, is not without controversy. Despite lacking prior foreign service experience, his nomination is emblematic of a longstanding American tradition: rewarding major campaign donors and political allies with prestigious diplomatic posts. Lamelas’s personal relationship with Trump is well documented—he is not only a neighbor at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Palm Beach residence, but also a friend. Their rapport was further solidified in a meeting with President Milei at Mar-a-Lago, where strategic discussions set the tone for future collaboration.
The incoming ambassador’s mission is clear and ambitious: to strengthen ties with President Milei, confront the influence of Kirchnerism (the populist political movement associated with former Argentine presidents Néstor and Cristina Kirchner), and push back against China’s growing presence in the region. During his Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing, Lamelas laid out his agenda, stating his intent to "confront Kirchnerism, curb Chinese influence in the region, and offer unambiguous support for Milei and his government." This approach, as Zona Militar notes, stands in contrast to the more institutional style of the U.S. State Department, signaling a potential shift toward a more ideologically driven bilateral relationship.
Behind the scenes, a network of influential figures connects the Trump and Milei administrations. Leonardo Scatturicce, the entrepreneur behind FlyBondi and a close associate of Milei’s top advisor Santiago Caputo, acts as a vital conduit between Trump’s power base in Florida and the Argentine president’s inner circle. Scatturicce recently found himself embroiled in scandal when one of his private jets arrived in Buenos Aires carrying ten suitcases that bypassed customs controls—a situation the Casa Rosada sought to downplay to avoid straining the burgeoning U.S.-Argentina partnership.
While diplomatic winds are changing, Argentina is also embarking on a significant overhaul of its military capabilities. The Argentine Air Force has begun the process of achieving Initial Operational Capability for its newly acquired F-16AM/BM fighters, with the first six airworthy units scheduled to arrive at Área Material Río Cuarto in December 2025. However, as Zona Militar emphasizes, the F-16s alone are not a "silver bullet" for revitalizing Argentina’s military strength. Instead, the fighters must be integrated with a host of complementary capabilities—on the ground, in the air, and in cyberspace—to achieve meaningful operational effectiveness.
Central to this modernization effort is the planned acquisition of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, a capability that Argentina has never before possessed despite previous proposals. These so-called "eyes in the sky" operate from high altitudes, detecting targets hundreds of kilometers away and providing comprehensive surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, and command and control support. As Zona Militar explains, AEW&C platforms are indispensable for modern military operations, often incorporating secondary signals intelligence functions crucial for national security.
Currently, only two countries in the region—Chile and Brazil—operate AEW&C aircraft. Chile’s Air Force has upgraded to two ex-Royal Air Force E-3D Sentrys, while Brazil operates the E-99/R-99 fleet, recently modernized to the E-99M standard with support from Saab. Peru, too, is planning to acquire 24 new multirole fighters and an AEW&C platform, with Sweden’s Saab GlobalEye emerging as a leading contender.
Globally, the AEW&C sector is undergoing a technological transition. The older four-engine E-3 Sentry aircraft, workhorses of the Cold War, are being replaced by next-generation planes equipped with airborne AESA radars. The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, based on the 737 platform, has been adopted by Australia, Turkey, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and, most recently, NATO. Yet, the U.S. Air Force’s own adoption of the E-7 Wedgetail remains uncertain, mired in political and military debate between the Republican government, Pentagon leadership, and Congress.
Another emerging trend is the conversion of commercial jets into AEW&C platforms. Saab’s GlobalEye, built on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 and equipped with the Erieye AESA radar, is a prominent example. This sensor system also features, in various forms, on Brazil’s E-99s and has been selected by the air forces of Greece, Mexico, and India—the latter integrating a locally developed AESA radar, the NETRA Mk I.
Argentina’s vision for its air force is to establish an initial triad of weapons systems: the F-16 fighters for airspace protection, AEW&C aircraft for surveillance and vectoring, and aerial refueling aircraft—specifically the KC-135R, which would also restore strategic airlift capabilities lost with the retirement of the Boeing 707s. This triad would be supported by ground-based radar stations, sustainment and maintenance infrastructure, and robust operator training programs. Currently, the Argentine Air Force is prioritizing the acquisition of compatible refueling aircraft and advancing efforts to secure AEW&C capabilities, aiming to pioneer this operational leap sooner rather than later.
Lamelas’s arrival in Buenos Aires is expected to further cement the ideological and strategic alignment between the Milei and Trump administrations. With a direct line to Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lamelas will be uniquely positioned to deepen bilateral ties, particularly in the defense sector. His tenure promises to reinforce the U.S.-Argentina partnership at a critical juncture, as both nations navigate the geopolitical challenges posed by Kirchnerism and Chinese influence in South America.
As Argentina stands on the cusp of a new chapter in its diplomatic and military history, the coming months will reveal whether these bold ambitions can be translated into tangible progress—on the ground, in the air, and across the negotiating table.