Formal negotiations with the United Arab Emirates on its $7 billion order for 80 Lockheed Martin F-16s have finally begun, after the completion of prolonged talks between the US and UAE governments on technology transfer.
Sources say the resulting agreement gives the UAE the advanced technology features it wants in the so-called Block 60-standard F-16s. Selection of the F-16 over the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon was announced in June.
Lockheed Martin still hopes to sign a contract before year-end, to allow deliveries to begin in 2002. After negotiations are completed, US Congress must be notified of the sale and has 30 days to approve or block the deal. Congress is scheduled to go into recess in November, but Lockheed Martin Aeronautics sector president Micky Blackwell says the company has been assured that an "out-of-session" notification will be allowed, starting the 30-day clock while Congress is still on holiday.
Blackwell says opposition to the deal from some quarters in Congress has been overcome. Sources say concerns had more to do with the US Administration's efforts to push through the politically sensitive deal than with the transfer of advanced technology.
UAE's Block 60 F-16 will incorporate some significant advances over the current Block 50 aircraft, including an active-array radar.
Source: Flight International
