F-16A/B Fighting Falcon

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has retired its early model Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft following the completion of deliveries of the Alenia M-346 Master advanced jet trainer and the arrival of the first of its Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs). The last of the IAF’s approximately 90 F-16A/B […]

The Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) latest five-year plan, roughly half of the 310 billion shekel ($78.6 billion) projected for defense spending through 2020, aims to bulk up cyber-protected, networked combat capabilities while cutting back on manpower and non-combat support services. Dubbed Gideon, the plan is designed to augment the IDF’s capacity to fight in multiple […]

Israel is offering Croatia surplus Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs upgraded to the ACE configuration, as replacements for its Mikoyan MiG-21 fighters. The Israeli air force is phasing out its F-16A/B-model trainers, ahead of deliveries of the new-generation Lockheed F-35A, which are expected to begin in 2017. Conducted by Israel Aerospace Industries, in co-operation with several other […]

Elbit Systems began the year with US $190 million in long-term business from two new private financing initiative (PFI) outsourcing deals with Israel’s Ministry of Defense. The first, announced Sunday, is an 11-year contract to maintain front-line fighter avionics systems on behalf of the Israel Air Force (IAF). Under the estimated $90 million award, the […]

An Israeli air force squadron equipped with Alenia Aermacchi M-346 “Lavi” advanced jet trainers is close to being declared operational, having already received nine aircraft from an eventual 30-strong fleet. Israel’s first M-346 landed at Hazerim air base in the south of the country last July, and deliveries are continuing on schedule. Being introduced as […]

The Israeli air force is developing a short field operating capability for its Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters, based on the use of a rocket-assisted take-off. A first test is scheduled for next year, with the air force having decided to develop such a system for its F-16A/B, C/D and I-model variants. Rocket assistance can be […]

Hundreds of the more than 6,000 targets struck from the air during Israel’s 50-day urban war in Gaza were from fighter jets delivering one-ton bombs in record time and in close proximity to friendly ground forces. After-action accounts of Operation Protective Edge show unprecedented use of fixed-wing fighters for close air support (CAS) of urban […]

The Israeli air force’s first Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainer will land at the service’s Hatzerim air base later this week. A further 29 of the type will follow before the end of 2016. The air force has named the M-346 the “Lavi”; the name previously carried by the Israel Aerospace Industries fighter developed in the […]

Pakistan could acquire more Jordanian Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Block 15 aircraft, as it prepares to receive the final two examples of the current deal for 13 aircraft. An air force spokesman says the number of F-16’s could increase, but did not provide specific numbers. From late April, Pakistan has received 11 former Jordanian F-16s. The arrival […]

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has acquired one squadron of F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft from Jordan and 13 F-16s will be inducted into the service next month. With this, the strength of PAF F-16s will reach 76. The fighter aircraft have been purchased from Jordan and they were in the use of the Royal Jordanian […]