Quantcast

How many F-16 fighting falcons remain active globally

Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Major airline grounds Airbus A350 fleet, citing faulty engine component
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
United Airlines flight attendants are prepared to strike. Here's why it's still unlikely.
2 workers killed, 1 injured in tire explosion at a Delta Air Lines shop in Atlanta
How many F-16 fighting falcons remain active globally
Policy
Webp f 16fighting falcons
F-16 fighting falcons | Wikipedia

About half of the 4,600 F-16 Fighting Falcons produced since 1976 remain in use today. The Aviationist reported in 2024 that 2,800 were still operational between the United States Air Force and its international allies, including training and non-combatant variants. Since then, more have been retired by the USAF and European partners, but new operators like Ukraine have acquired second-hand Fighting Falcons.

Countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway are donating F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The US supports this with spare parts. It is challenging to determine an exact number of operational units, but for a fighter half a century old, it is impressive that nearly half of the global fleet remains airworthy.

The F-16 comprises just under half of the USAF fighter fleet with 838 units after retiring 60 in 2024. Only 11 retirements are planned for 2025 due to improvements through various initiatives. General Dynamics originally made the F-16; now Lockheed Martin produces it. More than 25 air forces worldwide utilize it, with over 100 sales backlogged.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The Fighter Mafia was founded to promote the Lightweight Fighter (LWF), leading to the development of the YF-16 by General Dynamics engineers. Four NATO countries—Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway—formed a consortium with the US to construct F-16s. These countries produced different components and hosted final assembly lines.

The Multinational Staged Improvement Program (MSIP) initiated in the 1980s enhanced F-16 capabilities by integrating subsystems and an airframe through systems integration laboratories and simulators. This program successfully launched new variants like reconnaissance types and interceptors for different services.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has manufactured an F-2 variant under license from a joint US-Japan program similar to NATO's consortium. Turkish Aerospace Industries was licensed for Block 30/40/50 production for Turkey's Air Force in the '80s while Korean Aerospace Industries established KF-16 production around that time.

A recent sale authorized by the US will enhance Philippine Air Force capabilities with Fighting Falcons:

“The proposed sale will enhance the Philippine Air Force’s ability to conduct maritime domain awareness and close air support missions... The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”

Lockheed Martin's Post Block Integration Team (PoBIT) aims at improving lethality through cutting-edge technology integration across more than $6 billion worth contracts involving over six hundred aircrafts since being awarded in '22 - enhancing tracking via APG-83 radar or self-defense using Electronic Warfare Suite among others along improved cockpit displays aiding pilots' situational awareness during combat scenarios where they can rely on Sniper Advanced Aiming Pod offering highest-resolution images yet seen so far today!

USAF Captain Alexandra expressed her thoughts about upgraded models recently delivered:

“F-16s are one of only multi-role fighters... incredibly lightweight & quick; when you upgrade them they're able do many missions such as providing close air support like A10 suppressing enemy defenses."

In contrast lies next-generation platforms led primarily through efforts surrounding Joint Strike Fighter project featuring stealth-enabled advancements ensuring superiority against potential adversaries amidst ever-evolving defense landscapes globally...

Lieutenant General Brian S Robinson emphasized importance during opening ceremony held last year at Ebbing ANG Base:

“Today Ebbing ANG Base officially open business ready train international partners world’s most advanced jet..."

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of a new route connecting Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.

Oct 27, 2025

United Airlines has unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule, which includes new flights from Newark to Bari, Split, Santiago de Compostela, and Glasgow, as well as from Newark to Seoul and Washington, D.C., to Reykjavik.

Oct 27, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a limited-time 20% discount on fares between Addis Ababa and Porto.

Oct 27, 2025

Avianca has announced that passengers are encouraged to register for the Biomig biometric migration system to avoid lines and delays at participating airports in Colombia.

Oct 27, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced an upgrade to its mobile application, enhancing travel convenience ahead of the holiday season.

Oct 27, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to commence significant renovations aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.

Oct 27, 2025