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How many F-16 fighting falcons remain active globally

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How many F-16 fighting falcons remain active globally
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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 General Dynamics originally made the F-16; now Lockheed Martin produces it.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.

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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
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