Aircraft
Bahrain To Get New and Upgraded F-16V Fighters
In a sale worth nearly $3.8 billion, the country will acquire the latest version of the ‘Viper’ and a huge variety of weapons
The new F-16V aircraft ordered by the Royal Bahrain Air Force will replace the F-5s, seen here in a mixed formation with two of the first batch of F-16Cs acquired by the RBAF. (Photo: Bahrain International Air Show)
The new F-16V aircraft ordered by the Royal Bahrain Air Force will replace the F-5s, seen here in a mixed formation with two of the first batch of F-16Cs acquired by the RBAF. (Photo: Bahrain International Air Show)

Lockheed Martin is closer to securing an extension of F-16 production, following the Pentagon’s notification to Congress of the possible sale of 19 new-build F-16V models to Bahrain. The country also wants to upgrade its existing fleet of 20 F-16C/D Block 40s to the F-16V standard. Lockheed Martin officials have been negotiating the deal since 2015.