China has agreed to supply Argentina with new fighter jets that will replace its aging fleet of single-engine Dassault Mirage planes.

Defense experts said two types of China-developed fighters are likely candidates -- the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation-built FC-1/JF-17 and the J-10.

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Argentina earlier sought to buy 14 Sweden-developed multi-role Saab Gripen fighters to upgrade its air force fleet but Britain successfully blocked the deal.

Buenos Aires has repeatedly threatened to use force in taking control of the Falkland Islands from the British.

They fought a war in 1982 over the territory.

Three weeks ago, Argentina President Cristina Kirchner visited Beijing and secured a deal for the transfer of several military equipment, including jet fighters.

As a show of support, China echoed Argentina's claim on the Falkland Islands and compared the rift to China's dispute on islands in the South and East China Seas.

Defense experts said the fighters that China will likely supply to Argentina have their pros and cons.

The Chengdu FC-1 is a cheaper and less-capable combat jet but Argentina could buy more FC-1s.

A big concern among military observers is that Argentina's Air Force could have a hard time getting oriented to non-Western hardware.

But, experts said exporting jet fighters to Argentina would have a special political importance for China.

The sale could bring prestige and it could open doors to new fighter jet sales to South America.

They said China most likely provided good financing terms for the sale and it would probably pay special attention to training and maintenance.

China's JF-17 fighter partnership in Pakistan has proven a moderately successful pilot for production programs.

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China developed the JF-17 and FC-1 in a pairing that started in 1995.

In 2013, Chengdu Aircraft was in talks with Argentine aerospace firm Fabrica Argentina de Aviones to co-develop the FC-1 in a similar way as the deal in Pakistan. 

Four years ago, Fabrica and the Aviation Industry Corp. of China agreed to produce the CZ-11 single-engine light multi-purpose helicopter.

These military agreements could make it harder for London to protect the Falklands from another invasion.