Between 29 June and 10 July 2026, Fuerza Aérea de Chile (the Chilean Air Force – FACh) will host the fifth edition of the multi-domain live-fly exercise known as SALITRE 2026. The current iteration of the training, conducted in accordance with NATO standards, will bring together the leading air forces from across the region.
This year’s edition of the SALITRE exercise aims to enhance the interoperability among the participating air forces and enables them to synchronise their actions and create multi-domain synergy in a joint operational environment that encompasses air, land, sea, space and cyberspace.
During the exercise, the participating countries are expected to form a multinational coalition to intervene in a fictional conflict between two hostile nations, with the primary objective of restoring peace and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected area. Achieving this objective will require the assessment of combined response capabilities in a multidimensional crisis scenario, as well as the sharing of operational procedures and doctrinal knowledge.
As stated by the FACh, the upcoming multinational training event will also include simulated strike missions, escort operations and cyberattacks. That will provide extensive operational experience for participating aircrews.
The SALITRE 2026 exercise will be held in the Antofagasta Region and will involve air and ground assets from Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, the United Kingdom and the United States. In addition, the exercise will be monitored by international observers.
Talking about the importance of the training, Colonel Juan Carlos Noce, the Exercise Coordinator, stated: “This exercise is significant not only at the national level but also internationally, as it demonstrates the Institution’s readiness and professionalism to the world. It is not only the participating nations that see us as a professional and highly capable air force, but the entire continent. We are recognised as a force capable of leading this type of exercise, which has become one of the most important in South America.”
As the host nation, the FACh will participate in the exercise by deploying a wide range of aircraft. These will include F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-5 Tiger III fighter jets, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, MH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft. Chilean air power will also be supported by KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft.
International participation will include a broad range of aircraft from the participating countries. The United States is set to deploy a contingent comprising F-16 fighter jets, U-28 Draco special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Fuerza Aérea Argentina (the Argentine Air Force) is expected to participate with IA-63 Pampa jet trainers and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, while Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana (the Colombian Aerospace Force) will deploy A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and AH-60L Arpía IV gunships. Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (the Paraguayan Air Force) will contribute with further A-29 aircraft.
Additionally, SALITRE 2026 will mark the first international deployment of the newest fighter aircraft of Força Aérea Brasileira (the Brazilian Air Force), the F-39 Gripen. It will be the first time the F-39s has participated in a military exercise outside the Brazilian territory. More information about this jet can be found in our previous article, Gripen E – METEOR integration boosts Brazilian Air Force combat capability.
The multi-domain nature of the exercise will be reinforced by the active participation of Dirección Espacial de la Fuerza Aérea de Chile (the Chilean Air Force Space Directorate), supported by the United States Space Force. Both organisations will contribute advanced space-based capabilities intended to provide real-time battlefield information.
This year’s edition will also introduce several new features, including the participation of domestic and international Special Operations Forces and a multinational humanitarian assistance component. The latter will involve ground forces from the participating countries, supporting rescue missions and providing protection for coalition task force personnel.
“The major innovation of this exercise is that, in the past, it was primarily focused on air and surface operations. Today, with its humanitarian-oriented approach, a significant portion of the activities is dedicated to the rescue and extraction of non-combatants, as well as emergency medical support. Furthermore, force protection introduces a substantial land component, which represents a notable departure from the previous editions of exercise SALITRE,” added Colonel Noce.
Cover photo: FACh F-16C Fighting Falcon performs aerobatic maneuvers during the Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026 in Santiago, Chile, 8 April 2026, illustrativve photo (USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell).
Information from the Chilean Air Force press materials were used. All quotations and photo 1 © the Chilean Air Force. Cover photo and photos 2, 3 are Department of Defence (DoD) information materials, used in compliance with Public Domain licence. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
AI tools used to translate the FACh press materials.
