First F-16 Block 70 Fighters Head to Bahrain

The Persian Gulf island country is the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to operate the jets, Lockheed Martin said.

Wednesday, March 06, 2024 at 03:42 PM ET

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Preflight checks are completed on Bahrain's F-16 Block 70 single-seat fighter jet in preparation for its ferry flight from Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday. [Courtesy: Lockheed Martin]

Key Takeaways:

The first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter jets departed the U.S. for Bahrain, making it the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to operate these advanced aircraft.
The F-16 Block 70 is a 4.5 generation fighter equipped with advanced features, including APG-83 AESA radar, modernized avionics, conformal fuel tanks, and an automatic ground collision avoidance system.
These deliveries represent a significant leap in capabilities for the Royal Bahraini Air Force, with Lockheed Martin anticipating delivering 19-21 jets this year and more for Bahrain in various stages of production and testing.

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The first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70s departed the U.S. for Bahrain on Wednesday, making the Persian Gulf island country the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to operate the fighter jets.

The ferry cell of aircraft left Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday, and are among the 19-21 jets produced at the facility that the company anticipates delivering this year.