The F-16 Block 70 represents an innovative adaptation of the existing F-16s that will remain operationally relevant well into the future, and the Royal Bahraini Airforce will take the lead in deploying these combat aircraft. As time goes by, dependence grows – that’s the message conveyed by Lockheed Martin, the renowned American prime, with its latest F-16 Block 70 combat aircraft.
The new production of F-16s incorporates structural and capability enhancements that “guarantee the longevity of the global F-16 fleet until 2060 and beyond,” as stated by the original equipment manufacturer. The Kingdom of Bahrain has been selected as the first nation to acquire this advanced variant, and officials from Bahrain, the United States, and Lockheed Martin celebrated the deal in Greenville, South Carolina, on 10 March.
Bahrain has a unique historical connection with the F-16, having been the inaugural F-16 operator in the Gulf Cooperation Council since the early 1990s and now becoming the recipient of the first F-16 Block 70. According to GlobalData’s report on Bahrain Defence Market Data, 2022-32, the Royal Bahraini Airforce currently possesses 16 F-16C Block 40 and 4 F-16D Block 40 legacy combat aircraft, which were procured between the 1990s and 2000s.
The new variant will equip Bahrain’s fourth-generation aircraft with fifth-generation capabilities, ensuring the air force remains up to date. OJ Sanchez, Vice President of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, which encompasses the F-16 program, remarked, “Through the Block 70 iteration, we are modernizing fourth-generation technology for the Royal Bahraini Air Force and other global partners and allies.” The F-16 Block 70 jet being delivered to Bahrain is the first of 16 jets. Its maiden flight took place on 24 January 2023, and it will now undergo further flight tests at Edwards Airforce Base before reaching Bahrain in 2024. Teaching an old dog new tricks Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 AESA radar equips the Block 70 with fifth-generation fighter radar capabilities by leveraging hardware and software commonalities with F-22 and F-35 AESA radars. AESA technology enhances situational awareness, flexibility, and all-weather targeting, providing pilots with detailed target area information and digital map displays that can be customized with slew and zoom features. The new variant has already garnered significant interest, with six countries selecting the Block 70 aircraft.
In addition to the current official backlog of 127 jets to be manufactured in Greenville, Jordan has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for 12 jets, and Lockheed Martin has received a contract to initiate long-lead activities. Bulgaria has likewise agreed to an LOA for an additional eight jets for its fleet. Once these agreements are finalized, the backlog will