Kast's First Military Parade Broke a 17-Year Record — Here's Why Its F-16s Matter Even More

Chile's President Jose Antonio Kast takes part in the Day of the Glories of the Army parade, part of the celebrations for the anniversary of Chile's independence, in Santiago, on September 19, 2026. (Credit: Photo by Raul BRAVO / AFP via Getty Images)

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  Chile fielded 10,206 troops at its September 19 Gran Parada Militar — the biggest contingent in 17 years and the first-ever appearance by Gendarmería in the ceremony's history.

• Roughly 60 aircraft flew over Parque O'Higgins, led by F-16 Block 50 and MLU jets that still make Chile the region's top operator of the type, according to the 2026 Global Firepower count.
• Peru's F-16 Block 70 order — often described as a pending negotiation — was actually finalized months ago and is already moving through pilot training, while Chile studies the F-35 as its next step.

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