The most powerful version of the F-16 fighter jet is still "selling like hotcakes"

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-seat, highly maneuverable multirole fighter aircraft that first entered service in 1978. It was originally developed for the United States Air Force.

Although originally conceived as an air superiority dogfighter, the lightweight F-16 has been heavily modified to now serve a variety of roles.

With more than 4,600 produced and many still on order from customers around the world, the fighter remains a hot seller and one of the most successful fighters of all time.

In fact, both new and old F-16s are sought after, especially the F-16V (Viper) fighter, also known as the F-16 Block 70/72 – the latest and most powerful version in the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter family.

Block 70/72 is probably also the final variant of the F-16 line and has a design that is “worlds apart” compared to the original aircraft produced in the late 1970s-1980s.

Today, the F-16 Block 70/72 is still in production, but only for export because the US Air Force no longer buys any F-16s. According to Simple Flying, there are currently 5 countries in the world that still have orders for F-16s of various variants, both new and used.

Ukraine

The world’s attention is on Ukraine as it prepares to receive second-hand F-16s from its allies. The “Peregrine Falcons” are expected to be thrown into the escalating conflict with Russia.

Ukraine has not ordered the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Eastern European country is waiting for its close allies to donate fighter jets. What is certain is that Kiev is in dire need of more capable Western fighters to supplement and replace its aging Soviet-era jets such as the MiG-29 and Su-24.

World - The most powerful version of the F-16 fighter jet is still — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) meets with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (right) as he visits the Royal Danish Air Force's Skrydstrup Air Base, August 21, 2023. During his visit to the base, Mr. Zelensky inspected F-16 jets. Photo: TWZ

The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium are transferring some of their F-16 Block 15/20 aircraft to Ukraine. The jets will be retired as the countries upgrade their fleets to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.

More than 60 F-16 fighter jets have been promised and the Falcons are expected to start arriving in Ukraine this summer, but some of them can only be used as a source of spare parts.

Türkiye

Türkiye is buying several dozen new Block 70 F-16s and upgrading some of its existing F-16 fleet.

Fighter jet sales are often affected by a variety of factors. Türkiye signed a contract to buy the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet, but at the last minute, Washington removed Ankara from the program.

This is in response to Türkiye's purchase of Russia's S-400 Triumf air defense system, which the US fears could undermine its prized fifth-generation fighters.

Perhaps as part of the deal, Türkiye finally approved Sweden's accession to NATO and the US approved the sale of F-16 Block-70 fighters (along with 79 modernization kits for Türkiye's existing F-16s).

Reuters reported that the deal is for 40 new Block-70 F-16s. Türkiye already has a fleet of more than 200 older Block 30/40/50 F-16s, making it one of the largest F-16 fleets in the world outside the United States.

Bulgaria

The F-16 Block 70s ordered by Bulgaria are currently being assembled and are expected to begin receiving deliveries in 2024.

Bulgaria currently operates one of the oldest air forces in Europe with many types of old Soviet-era aircraft.

Russia's military campaign in Ukraine has prompted the Eastern European country to accelerate the modernization of its fighter fleet, even though the contract to buy F-16s was signed before the conflict broke out.

Bulgaria is expected to become the second European country to receive the F-16 Block 70. Assembly of the first Bulgarian F-16s has begun in Greenville, South Carolina.

The new Block 70s rolling off the production line will first fly over Eastern Europe in 2024, with an initial contract for eight aircraft, and a follow-on contract for eight more to be delivered from 2027.

Slovakia

Slovakia is the first Eastern European country to receive the F-16 Block 70, which will form the country's core strike capability.

Slovakia under Prime Minister Robert Fico's predecessors was one of the early supporters of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Bratislava donated its aging MiG-29 fleet to Kiev, leaving Slovakia temporarily without fighter jets.

The Eastern European country is ordering 14 new-build F-16 Block 70s under a contract signed in December 2018, then worth about $1.8 billion.

Lockheed Martin reported in January that it had delivered the first two F-16s to Slovakia. According to Airforce Technology, the first group of F-16s is expected to arrive in Slovakia in mid-2024, with more expected in 2025.

Slovakia has ordered 12 single-seat F-16Cs and two two-seat F-16D Block 70s. The contract also includes Raytheon AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and Sidewinder missiles.

Argentina

Argentina is set to receive F-16 Block 15/20 aircraft from Denmark. Reuters reported that Argentina has signed a deal to buy 24 jets along with engines, spare parts and simulators.

According to F-16.net, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen arrived in Argentina on March 26 to sign an agreement to sell 24-28 F-16MLU fighter jets that the Danish Air Force (RDAF) wants to “retire.” The deal is worth about $300 million .

Minh Duc (According to Simple Flying, National Interest, F-16.net)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/phien-ban-manh-nhat-cua-chien-dau-co-f-16-van-dat-nhu-tom-tuoi-a665119.html