Turkiye to Receive First F-16 Viper in mid-2027 Earliest

Turkish Air Force will receive the first F-16 Viper in mid-2027, provided the contract is signed immediately. Anadolu New Agency visited the F-16 Viper production facility in the U.S. and spoke with Aimee P. Burnett, Vice President of Aircraft Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin, about the production progress in connection with the imminent supply of 40 new F-16 Vipers. The assembly, the test flights, and the delivery of the aircraft to the various customers take place at this factory. Burnett said the factory is in the final stages of meeting its production rate target of four aircraft per month and that there is currently a “queue” of 122 aircraft for a total of six countries. Deliveries of the 122 aircraft will take three years to complete, which means that if the Turkish contract is signed today, the delivery of the first aircraft cannot be earlier than mid-2027. If the contract is delayed any further and there are new orders, the delivery time of the first Turkish F-16 Viper will be further delayed. Burnett emphasised that the Greenville factory has already delivered nine of the orders to relevant countries and that it will take three years to finish current orders if the firm meets its planned production pace. Burnett stated that the sales process for 300 aircraft, including Turkiye’s request for 40 F-16 Block 70s, is now underway and that production capacity will be reassessed if the new purchase is finalised. Burnett stated that Lockheed is always looking for new opportunities with alternative suppliers to provide more competitive costs and terms for the F-16 project, adding, “We have had a very long partnership with Turkiye in the past.” She emphasised that Lockheed has worked with the Turkish defence sector since the 1980s and that the U.S. corporation was essential in supporting the aircraft programme through the joint assembly in Turkiye. Burnett stated that because of conversations between Washington and Ankara, there is a chance of working with Turkiye on Block 70 production. The most notable characteristic of the Block 70 and 72 series F-16s is radar technology similar to that used in the F-35s. The Northrop Grumman SABR APG-83 radar gives the pilot a greater sight radius. The pilot can see friendly and hostile forces on his screen and converse with numerous allied aircraft and ground elements. As a result, Turkiye ordered 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighter fighters and modification kits for 79 aircraft already in service. Turkiye has the world’s second-largest F-16 fleet after the United States, with around 230 aircraft of various generations. Even though there is no decision has been made, Turkish F-16s will likely be assembled in Turkiye at Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) facilities.