Venezuela has allocated around $218 million for the long-sought modernisation of its Lockheed Martin F-16s, with the air force due to issue requests for information by April.
The Venezuelan air force plans to sign a deal by the end of this year for airframe overhauls and system upgrades for 15 F-16A/Bs at an expected cost of $138 million. Six more airframes will be covered by a second contract to be signed either next year or in 2004.
Plans include replacing the APG-66 radar with a synthetic aperture radar-capable system. The South American nation is also seeking a cockpit avionics upgrade and the installation of an advanced radar warning receiver, improved fire control and stores management computers, and a precision-guided munitions capability.
Upgrading of the Pratt & Whitney F100-220 to -220E standard is under way, and the Rafael Litening targeting pod is being integrated.
Likely competitors for the contract include Fokker, Israel Aircraft Industries, Lockheed Martin, SABCA and Singapore Technologies Aerospace.
Source: Flight International
