Bahrain cleared for $2.785B F-16 deal

The State Department and Trump Administration have cleared the way for Bahrain to buy 19 new F-16Vs, and upgrading 20 existing Block 40 F-16s to the V standard. The sale also includes 22 engines, 22 AESA radar sets, 22 AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS systems, and other equipment. The F-16V surpasses the F-16 Block 60, operated by the UAE. The Block 60 was the most advanced F-16 on the market, until now.

The F-16V is built around the Northrop APG-83 AESA radar. The APG-83 was designed to install in the F-16 without requiring any changes to cooling systems, or structural modifications. It also includes a new Center Pedestal Display, which is a 6" x 8" high definition display that mounts in the cockpit.

The Lockheed Martin F-16V is the latest and most advanced F-16 on the market today. The F-16V configuration includes numerous enhancements designed to keep the F-16 at the forefront of international security, strengthening its position as the world’s foremost combat-proven 4th Generation multi-role fighter aircraft.
The F-16V, an option for both new production F-16s and F-16 upgrades, is the next generation configuration that leverages a common worldwide sustainment infrastructure and provides significant capability improvements.
Integrated Capabilities
The F-16V provides advanced combat capabilities in a scalable and affordable package. The core of the F-16V configuration is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a modern commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based avionics subsystem, a large-format, high-resolution display; and a high-volume, high-speed data bus. Operational capabilities are enhanced through a Link-16 Theater Data Link, Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, advanced weapons, precision GPS navigation, and the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).

lockheedmartin.com...

WASHINGTON, Sep. 8, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Bahrain for F-16V aircraft with support. The estimated cost is $2.785 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Bahrain has requested a possible sale of nineteen (19) F-16V Aircraft; nineteen (19) M61 Vulcan 20mm Gun Systems; twenty-two (22) F-16V F-110-GE-129 Engines (includes 3 spares); twenty-two (22) APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array Radars (includes 3 spares); twenty-two (22) Modular Mission Computers (includes 3 spares); twenty-two (22) Embedded Global Navigation Systems/LN260 EGI (includes 3 spares); twenty-two (22) Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG) (includes 3 spares); and thirty-eight (38) LAU-129 Launchers. This sale also includes nineteen (19) AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS Systems, thirty-eight (38) LAU-118A Launchers, forty-two (42) AN/ARC-238 SINCGARS Radio or equivalent, twenty-two (22) AN/APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) system or equivalent, twenty-two (22) cryptographic appliques, secure communication equipment, spares and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, simulators, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor technical support services, containers, missile support and test equipment, original equipment manufacturer integration and test, U.S. Government and contractor technical support and training services, site survey, design, construction studies/analysis/services, associated operations/maintenance/ training/support facilities, cybersecurity, critical computer resources support, force protection and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $2.785 billion.

www.dsca.mil...

Bad deal. F-16 are garbage in this age.

a reply to: makemap

Those F-16's will smoke anything short of a 5th gen platform. Not exactly garbage...

a reply to: Zaphod58

I know these types of sales happen often, but I'm always scratching my head at the logic of selling weapon systems to countries that may turn them on us one day.

Just another day in the military industrial complex known as the U.S. of A.

a reply to: icanteven

The US and Bahrain have been friendly since before Bahrain was even officially a country. Fifth Fleet is headquartered there, and they're a Major non-NATO ally. I don't think that they're going to turn on us, barring something ridiculous happening.

a reply to: icanteven

What Zaphod said. Besides,coming from Lockheed Martin I'd wager that there is a killswitch of sorts hidden somewhere in any weapon system that the Military Industrial Complex sells.

The deal breaks down to $1.082B for the 20 aircraft being upgraded, $2.785B for the 19 new aircraft, $27M for somewhere around 200 TOW missiles, and $60.25M for two patrol boats and weapons for them.

www.defensenews.com...