The Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper is a family of new and upgraded single-engine supersonicmultirolefighter aircraft developed from the General DynamicsF-16 Fighting Falcon.[4] Improvements over the F-16 include the APG-83AESA radar, upgraded avionics with a modern mission computer, enhanced cockpit displays, and electronic warfare suites such as the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft delivers fifth-generation fighter radar capabilities by leveraging hardware and software commonality with F-22 and F-35 AESA radars while extending service life and interoperability with stealth platforms.[4][5][6] Initially introduced to support export customers like Taiwan and Greece through both new production and retrofit options, the Viper configuration continues to be fielded and modernized by Lockheed Martin and international partners.[7][8] In United States Air Force inventory, the F-16 C/D Post Block Integration Team (PoBIT) modernization program is equivalent.[9]
The F-16V (Block 70/72) began as Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive "Viper" upgrade announced at the Singapore Airshow on February 15, 2012, adding the AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar, a new mission computer/architecture, and cockpit enhancements.[10] An F-16V achieved its maiden flight with the AN/APG-83 on October 16, 2015, validating the configuration that would underpin both new-build Block 70/72 jets and global retrofit programs.[11]
Variants
Available as single-seat (C) or a twin-seat (D) configuration.
This version is built by upgrading older F-16 versions to the same specification as the F-16 Block 70 and Block 72. F-16V is primarily made for the export market.
F-16 PoBIT
This version is similar to the F-16V and made for the United States Air Force to upgrade its older generation F-16s.[9]
Operational History
In May 2021, the United States Air Force awarded a $14 billion (~$15.9billion in 2024) contract to Lockheed Martin to build new 128 Block 70/72 F-16V fighter jets on behalf of Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan, Morocco and Jordan through 2026.[13][14]
In September 2017, the U.S. Department of State approved a Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain for 19 new-build F-16V and upgrade its 20 existing F-16C/D Block 40 to F-16V standard.
In June 2018, Bahrain finalized its order for 16 new-build F-16V.[15] On 8 March 2024, Bahrain received its first batch of F-16 Block 70.[16]
In October 2017, the U.S. approved the sale of 123 upgrade kits to Greece to bring their existing F-16C and D fighters up to the new F-16 Block 72 standard.[17] On 28 April 2018, Greece decided to upgrade 84 aircraft.[18] On 12 September 2022, Greece received its first upgraded F-16 Block 72 jets.[19][20] Hellenic Air Force F-16V jets participated in Ramstein Flag 2025.[21]
In April 2018, the U.s. Department of State approved a Foreign Military Sale to Slovakia for 14 new F-16Vs, pending approval from U.S. Congress.[23] The Defence Ministry of Slovakia announced on 11 July 2018 that it intends to purchase 14 F-16 Block 70 aircraft from Lockheed Martin to replace its aging fleet of Mikoyan MiG-29s.[24] The package, which includes armament and training, is worth €1.58 billion ($1.8 billion), and is Slovakia's largest military purchase in modern history. Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš signed the contract with Lockheed Martin representative Ana Wugofski in a press conference at the capital Bratislava on 12 December 2018.[25][26][27] after the government approved the purchase.[28][29][30][31]
The first completed jet was unveiled by the manufacturer on 7 September 2023,[32] and first two aircraft were delivered to Slovakia on 22 July 2024.[33][34]
In December 2018, Bulgaria chose sixteen F-16 C/D Block 70/72 as replacements for MiG-29s.[35] On 10 July 2019, Bulgaria approved the purchase of eight F-16 Block 70/72 for $1.25 billion (~$1.51billion in 2024).[36] The U.S. Department of State approved the sale of eight F-16 Block 70s to Bulgaria,[37] and the deal was approved by the Bulgarian parliament, and President Rumen Radev.[38] On 4 November 2022, the Bulgarian parliament approved the purchase of 8 more F-16 C/D Block 70/72 fighters along with spares, weapons and other systems for $1.3 billion with delivery in 2027.[39][40] On 13 April 2025, Bulgaria received its first F-16 C Block 70 jet. [41]
On 27 February 2019, Taiwan requested to buy 66 new F-16 Block 70/72 airframes for an approximate $13 billion (~$15.7billion in 2024) as replacement for their aging Mirage 2000 and F-5 fighters.[42]
On 16 August 2019, the U.S. Department of State submitted the package to Congress,[43] total package worth $8 billion (~$9.65billion in 2024) for 66 F-16 Block 70 and other spare parts.[44] On 13 December 2019, the US and Taiwan finalized the F-16V order.[45] On 14 August 2020, Taiwan formally signed an agreement to buy 66 F-16V jets built by Lockheed Martin.[46]
On 18 November 2021, Taiwan commissioned the first F-16V Viper combat wing (upgraded fleet to Block 72).[47] On 28 March 2025, Lockheed Martin unveiled the first newly built F-16 Block 70 jet for Taiwan.[48][49]
On 25 March 2019, the U.S. Department of Defense announced approvals for two sets of foreign military sales of F-16V hardware to Morocco; one for upgrading its existing 23 F-16s to the F-16V configuration, valued at $985.2 million; and the second for a batch of 25 new Block 72 airframes, 29 new engines, a package of precision-guided munitions, and training valued at $3.787 billion.[50][51]
On 3 March 2020, It was announced that instead of upgrading, Royal Jordanian Air Force is now looking to buy the latest F-16 Block 70/72 model to replace its current fleet of older F-16s. As early as September 2017, the Royal Jordanian Air Force was working with the U.S. Air ForceAir Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), based at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to begin the Viper Block-70 operational upgrade program. This study is still under way, but it is unclear whether, and when, it will apply where necessary congressional approvals are needed to sell these possibilities to Jordan.[52]
On 30 September 2021, Turkey sent a formal request to the United States to purchase 40 new F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft and nearly 80 kits to modernize its F-16C/D fighters to F-16 Block 70/72 variant.[53] Turkey later cancelled the upgrade kits from the deal and decided to modernize F-16s locally.[54]
On 13 August 2025, Poland signed a deal of $3.8 billion to upgrade its 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ to the Viper variant F-16 Block 72.[55][56]
Potential operators
Philippines
In 2021, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the Philippines' purchase of 12 F-16s worth an estimated US$2.43 billion. However, the Philippines has yet to complete this deal due to financial constraints with negotiations ongoing.[57] In April 2025, the possible sale of 20 F-16s were approved, upgrading the previous approval made by DSCA.[58][59] It was reported in May 2025 that Lockheed Martin was interested in developing a facility similar to the Center for Innovation and Security Solutions in Abu Dhabi, depending on the success of the F-16s being sold.[60]
Vietnam
In 2025, multiple news channels reported that Vietnam is finalizing an agreement to purchase at least 24 F-16s, possibly the F-16V variant.[61][62]
Bulgaria - The Bulgarian Air Force ordered 10 newly built single-seat F-16C Block 70s and 6 newly built dual-seat F-16D Block 70s in two batches. Bulgaria received its first batch of 8 aircraft between April-December 2025.[64][65]
Greece - The Hellenic Air Force ordered 84 F-16Vs to be built by upgrading older versions of F-16s.
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