The United Arab Emirates air force and air defence command has taken delivery of 30 of its Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60 aircraft out of a total order of 80, says UAE air defence command assistant commander Brig Gen Ali Khadem Al Mansouri.
The air defence command will work towards full operational capability during 2006, he says, but this depends on delivery schedule compliance and training. Khadem says 13 aircraft will remain in the USA to support training.
The service is studying the possibility of the aircraft taking on stand-off strike missions, which are currently carried out by the UAE’s Dassault Mirage 2000-9s. Khadem says the F-16s are intended primarily for air defence over their 30-year life.
The UAE plans to upgrade the aircraft continually, with initial software flight testing on the Standard 2 software now under way and Standard 3 in development (Flight International, 22-28 November). “We plan to keep our aircraft always at the top of technology,” says Khadem.
Lockheed Martin says Block 60 production, plus a 150-aircraft order backlog will see F-16 production continue until at least 2008. But looming orders from Greece and other potential customers could add 200 aircraft to production requirements and extend new-build activity until 2010.
The company says the Greek order, expected to comprise 30 aircraft with options for 10 more, is currently the subject of government-to-government negotiations.
Deliveries to Oman of F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft began in October and will continue during 2006. Jordan plans to implement an F-16 mid-life upgrade next year, with Lockheed providing kits to be fitted by Jordan Aircraft Industries.
The USAF’s own Common Configuration Implementation Programme upgrade, involving up to 650 Block 40/50 aircraft, is currently 25% complete.
Source: Flight International
