upgrade all F-16C/D Block 40 fighters to F-16V
standard. In 1990-2000, Bahrain received 22
aircraft (18 F-16C and 4 F-16D), but two were
lost in accidents. This upgrade package will cost
1.1 billion US dollars. For longer time, Bahrain was
mentioned as possible first customer for brand
new F-16V aircraft and upgrade packages.
Finally, on 17th October 2017, during the BIDEC
2017 expo, Bahrain announced signing up
of F-16V purchase agreement. These
fighters will become main combat asset
of Bahrain Air Force in the first half
of 21st century. 16 brand new
fighters will be purchased for
the 3.8 billion US dollars.
To this moment, neither
Lockheed Martin nor US Government involved
due the FMS program, had not commented
the announced decision. It is possible that the
amount covers both purchase of brand new
fighters and the upgrade of old ones.
On the very same day, the US Department of
State announced approval for sale of F-16V
upgrade packages for F-16C/D fighters to
Greece. In the public submission which was
submitted by Greece to US Congress, Greeks
declare intent of upgrading 123 F-16C/D
fighters. The approx. cost of the upgrade is
2.4 billion US dollars and presumably, it will be
partially funded likely by selling the excessive
planes to Croatia. What is more interesting,
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