UAE requests 30 Block 61 F-16s, and upgrades to Block 60 fighters

[Arabian Legend]

UAE requests Block 61 F-16s, and upgrades to Block 60 fighters - IHS Jane's 360UAE requests 30 Block 61 F-16s, and upgrades to Block 60 fighters

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested the sale of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 61 combat aircraft from the United States as well as upgrades to its existing Block 60 fleet, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) disclosed on 23 January.

The proposed direct commercial sale is for 30 Block 61 aircraft, as well as upgrades to the 79 F-16E/F Block 60 Desert Falcons listed in the UAE Air Force & Air Defence (UAE AF & AD) inventory. Associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support are also included.

While the DSCA notification to Congress lists the estimated cost of the deal at USD270 million, this will likely be for the associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support, with the new-build aircraft and upgrade work costing significantly more.

 

[Kompromat]

Lifeline for the F-16.

 

[Rashid Mahmood]

Quite a deal.

 

[SpArK]

Perfect Deal.

 

[Rank]

Its not about the Money... its about the Priority... Our Airforce and their thinktanks *******! look how the world powering their airforce to ensure State Air btw War and in Peace Time.

 

[Ammyy]

Upgrade of block 60 ?

 

[Arabian Legend]

If the deal finalized, the UAE will be operating 110 full loaded fighters of the f-16 block 61.

Upgrade of block 60 ?

Yes upgrade the existing fleet to block 61

 

[Arabian Legend]

GCC will have around thousand of birds by 2020.

 

[Kompromat]

I guess they are going to name the Block-70 as Block-61. It may be the upgraded version of the jet they offered to India.

 

[Pak47]

What is block 61?

What capability does 61 have that 60 e/f doesn't?

 

[Arabian Legend]

The US DSCA announces the United Arab Emirates’s official export request for “equipment in support of a Direct Commercial Sale of F-16 Block 61 Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, [and] support….” The DCS purchase doesn’t have to be announced, but this request confirms that it will be for 30 F-16 E/F “Block 61″ aircraft. The new block number appears to involve a set of small component upgrades over the existing Block 60s, which will be upgraded to the same standard. The UAE’s request includes:

• 40 20mm M61A Guns
• 40 Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation Systems
• Identification Friend or Foe Equipment
• Unspecified “night vision devices”
• Joint Mission Planning System
• Cartridge Activated Device/Propellant Activated Devices, generally used in association with armament hardpoints
• Unspecified “Weapons Integration”
• F110-GE-132 International Engine Management Program-Component Improvement Program
• Site surveys, necessary for the required facilities expansions
• Ferry maintenance and services, incl. aerial refueling support
• Plus spare and repair parts; tools and test equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; and other forms of US Government and contractor support.
  
  

 

[GR!FF!N]

F-16 Block 60

if @Aeronaut sir is true,then,this aircraft will get upgrades of F-16 Block 70 IN,like conformal fuel tanks; AN/APG-80 AESA radar, GE F110-132A engine with FADEC controls; electronic warfare suite and infra-red searching (IRST); updated glass cockpit; and a helmet-mounted cueing system.and its quite possible as F-16 IN is itself a modified F-16 Block 60.but it might be a whole new upgrade,thats why Pentagon is refusing to comment on that.

 

[SQ8]

F-16 Block 60



if @Aeronaut sir is true,then,this aircraft will get upgrades of F-16 Block 70 IN,like conformal fuel tanks; AN/APG-80 AESA radar, GE F110-132A engine with FADEC controls; electronic warfare suite and infra-red searching (IRST); updated glass cockpit; and a helmet-mounted cueing system.and its quite possible as F-16 IN is itself a modified F-16 Block 60.but it might be a whole new upgrade,thats why Pentagon is refusing to comment on that.

It already has all of that. The F-16IN was a modified Block-60.... using most of the electronics with additional improvements in engine power. AS such the Block-61 is just an add on of those improvements.

 

[al-Hasani]

This is tremendous news @Arabian Legend

GCC will have around thousand of birds by 2020.

Speaking about birds, then how many AIRCRAFTS do we (KSA) currently have? About 700-750 if my memory serves me right and about 200-250 on the order? Something along those lines. That's a tremendous number.

Somebody should make a list that shows the number of aircrafts, birds etc. of the GCC and other military equipment so we can get a outlook and keep it updated with new deliveries etc. Make it a sticky too on this section.

Who is up for it?

@Yzd Khalifa @BLACKEAGLE @JUBA @tyrant @Mosamania (come back) @Full Moon @Awadd @burning_phoneix @Bubblegum Crisis etc.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

Pentagon notifies Congress of possible F-16 upgrades for UAE| Reuters

Pentagon notifies Congress of possible F-16 upgrades for UAE

(Reuters) - The Pentagon has notified Congress of a possible sale of weapons and other equipment valued at $270 million that would be part of a larger, multibillion-dollar deal for 30 more F-16s that is still under discussion by Lockheed Martin Corp and the United Arab Emirates.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency told lawmakers it had approved the sale of guns, navigational systems, night vision devices and other equipment as part of a "Block 61" version of the F-16s, if that deal is finalized.

Lockheed is continuing to negotiate with UAE about a direct commercial sale of the F-16s, but congressional approval is needed for some of the equipment that would go on the jets.

Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare.

Lockheed declined comment on the timing of a possible sale of additional F-16s to UAE, which acquired its current Block 60 F-16s in the early 2000s. Initial talks involved 25 additional aircraft, but the number has now increased to 30, according to the Pentagon notification sent to Congress last week.

"We continue to work with the UAE to ensure their fleet is well maintained and up to date. Any questions regarding the potential upgrade of Block 60 aircraft or the potential sale of new Block 61 aircraft should be directed to the U.S. or UAE government," said Lockheed spokesman Mark Johnson.

The Pentagon's notification marked the first mention of a Block 61 version of the aircraft.

Lockheed declined to give any details about the new model and how it differs from the 80 Block 60 F-16s now flown by UAE.

In its notice to Congress, the Pentagon said UAE had been and remained an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

"The proposed sale will improve the UAE's capability to meet current and future regional threats," it said, noting that UAE hosted and supported vital U.S. forces stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base, and played a vital role in supporting U.S. interests in the Gulf region.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Ken Wills)