Bahrain Mirror: Media website specialized in military affairs said that Bahrain will be the first customer to procure the F-16 Block 70, the newest and most advanced F-16 production configuration, after Lockheed Martin has received a $1.12 billion contract to produce new F-16 fighter jets for the Royal Bahraini Air Force.

The F-16V Block 70 is the latest variant of the fourth-generation, multirole fighter, especially with respect to radar devices.

Work on the jets is expected to be complete by September 2023, according to Pentagon

Lockheed will produce 16 aircraft at its new production line in Greenville, South Carolina, the first F-16 production program to be performed at the facility. Lockheed expects the work will generate between 150 and 200 new jobs.

"We value our long-standing relationship with the Kingdom of Bahrain and look forward to beginning production activities on their first Block 70 aircraft at our facility in Greenville," said Susan Ouzts, vice president of Lockheed Martin's F-16 program.

"Defense One" website, which has close ties with the US army, said although the number of aircraft included the sale was reduced from an original total of 19 to 16 units due to cost-reduction policy, the sale "would save the shrinking F-16 line," a Bahraini military source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The source described the sale to Bahrain as "Lockheed's pass to keep its F-16 production line open for the next three to five years."

It added that the Royal Bahraini Air Force is in a crucial need of upgrading its fleet to keep up with other Gulf nations. "It's a win-win situation; Bahrain needs the F-16, and the F-16 needs Bahrain."

The website further stated that this purchase allows Bahrain to keep pace with other regional competitors such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as deals for fighter jets in the Middle East are expected to eclipse $22 billion over the next decade.

Arabic Version