Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2024)
The F-16 Block 70/72 is the latest and most sought-after version of the fighter. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet is still in the limelight over 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the aircraft in the 2020s.
The list of countries that would like to get their hands on the jet constantly grows.
Ukraine, after lobbying hard for acquiring enhanced air power, is now in the process of training its pilots for the F-16 as the invaded country waits for the arrival of the jets from Europe. At the end of 2023, Ukrainian pilots have progressed from working on foundational flight skills in the UK to advanced F-16 Fighting Falcon instruction in Denmark.
The European Training Centre in Romania has also taken its first steps towards becoming a hub for F-16 pilot training for Ukraine and other countries as
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