Image source: topwar.ru
During several years of stagnation, when the F-16 production line was moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Greenville, South Carolina, production of these aircraft was discontinued. Despite this, the portfolio of orders for fighters grew, including thanks to new customers. Currently, 136 F-16s of the latest version of Block 70/72 have been ordered, and given the Jordanian contract expected in the near future, this number will increase to 148 units.
Production facilities in Greenville have already been launched, but work is underway to expand production. Last year, the first F-16, ordered by Oman many years ago, came off it, and in February of this year, the second fighter.
As explained in the management of the Lockheed Martin Corporation to the Defence24 edition, another 5-8 aircraft will be built this year. However, in 2024 and 2025, a significant increase in production is expected – up to three squadrons.
- they called the plans in the corporation.
As indicated in the publication, thus, the current orders for aircraft will be completed by 2027 or 2028. Polish F-16s will be ready only after 2028, Slovakia and Bulgaria are also waiting for their turn, which "also need aircraft to strengthen the eastern flank of NATO." The biggest customer of the F-16 to date is Taiwan, which has purchased 66 units. It is expected that new customers will appear, for example, Turkey, which has not yet been granted permission by the United States to purchase 40 aircraft.
- noted in the corporation.
At the same time, Lockheed Martin, in terms of F-35 production, reached an indicator of 140 boards per year:
