F-16V sale to Jordan passes muster with State Department

4th February 2022 - 11:05 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

RSS

An F-16 operated by the Royal Jordanian Air Force takes off for a mission. (Photo: USAF/Staff Sgt Tyler McLain)

Jordan has requested 16 F-16s upgraded to the Block 70 (F-16V) configuration plus a plethora of associated subsystems and weapons, training services and logistical support in an FMS package worth more than $4 billion.

The US State Department on 3 February approved a potential $4.21 billion FMS deal to sell modernised F-16C/D fighter aircraft to the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), with Lockheed Martin named as prime contractor.

Jordan has requested 12 F-16Cs and four F-16Ds upgraded to the Block 70 (F-16V) configuration plus a plethora of associated subsystems and weapons, training services and logistical support.

Examples include General Electric F100-GE-129D or Pratt & Whitney F100-PW229EEP engines (one for each aircraft plus five spares); Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 AESA Scalable Agile Beam Radar systems; Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-33 Sniper advanced targeting pods; and Link 16 low-volume terminals for aircraft and ground stations.

Other aspects of the proposed FMS include 72 LAU-129 launchers for AIM-9 and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles; 21 M61A1 Vulcan cannons; 402 FMU-139 or FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes; MK-82, MK-84, BLU-111 or BLU-117 inert bombs; and guidance kits for JDAM smart bombs such as the GBU-10, GBU-31, GBU-54 and Enhanced Paveway II.

Shephard Defence Insight notes that Jordan took delivery of a total of 79 F-16A/B fighter jets between 1997 and 2017 through the Peace Falcon I-VI programmes. A total of 47 of these aircraft will remain in service until 2025-2027.

More from Air Warfare

Rafael lifts the veil on Aerospike

New air-to-surface missile for fixed-wing aircraft from Rafael is optimised for close air support, counterterrorism and anti-A2AD applications.
BrahMos missile gets into ER mode

India continues to develop its BrahMos missile, with the extended-range type recently tested.
Indian Army explores quadcopters for surveillance

India has set in motion yet another tender process to buy UAVs, this time quadcopters able to fly at altitude.
Swiss Air Force receives final Cougar helicopter

RUAG has announced the completion of the Swiss Cougar modernisation programme, which lasted around three years.
Indo-Pacific 2022: Schiebel nabs pole position for expedited UAV contract

To speed up acquisition, Australia has selected the Austrian-designed Camcopter for a naval UAV requirement.
Indo-Pacific 2022: Australia seals MH-60R and AH-64E deals

Replacing European-designed helicopters, Australia has turned back to the US for attack and naval rotorcraft.