Dubai Airshow: Lockheed Martin To Upgrade UAE F-16 Fighter Jets Under $1.6B Contract

The UAE Armed Forces announced a deal worth US$1.63 billion awarded to the US defense firm Lockheed Martin at the on-going Dubai Airshow to upgrade its fleet of 80 F-16E/F fighter jets, Reuters report.

“The UAE Air Force flies the most advanced fourth-generation fighter in the world—the F-16 Block 60 ‘Desert Falcon,'” according to Lockheed Martin. “This is yet another step forward in our partnership to enhance UAE national security and air defense capabilities”.

The UAE Air Force flies the Block 60 F-16 "Desert Falcon," the most advanced 4th Generation fighter aircraft operating today. The UAE Air Force ordered a total of 80 F-16E/F Block 60 aircraft , becoming the first customer for this advanced version of the F-16 Fighting Falcons. Final deliveries of the fighter jets were concluded in 2007, giving the air force a considerable multi-role operability and capability to protect regional interests and advance stability.

The UAE also expressed interest in fifth-generation fighter jets with a preference for Lockheed Martin's F-35.