Jordan to join F-16 Block 70 program

Jordan buy Lockheed F16
Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 for Royal Jordanian Air Force.

Jordan has officially signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the sale of eight new production F-16 Block 70 jets, Lockheed Martin announced Thursday.

The new aircraft will join the Royal Jordanian Air Force's current combat fleet which is composed of F-16 fighters donated by the United States in the 1990s or purchased second-hand from Belgium and the Netherlands.

Over the years, most of Jordan's F-16s have undergone Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU), getting capabilities similar to those of the F-16C/D Block 50/52.

The Block 70 includes technologies developed for the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor fighters and will offer the Royal Jordanian Air Force a big boost in capabilities.

Jordan's signing of the LOA follows US State Department approval to provide the nation with 16 F-16 Block 70s (12 single-seat and 4 double-seat) last February. The total value of the deal was estimated at $ 4.21billion.

“This F-16 acquisition reflects over 70 years of U.S. cooperation and decades of partnership with Lockheed Martin,” says Aimee Burnett, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group Business Development. “Our history partnering with Jordan strengthens regional security and helps protect citizens through 21st Century Security technologies that support critical missions today and into the future.”

Written by Matteo Sanzani
Image: Lockheed Martin

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