F-16 future production

[ROCK45]

I was wondering just how many more F-16s might be produced before the production line really closes. Just came across an article about Egypt might make another purchase. Could 100 more Vipers be push out the factory door?

Egypt named as F-16 sales candidate
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/01/28/321733/egypt-named-as-f-16-sales-candidate.html

 

[tphuang]

should be quite a while longer, off the top of my head, I could be wrong with some of this, they are still building for Pakistan, Greece, Libya, Romania, UAE. And of course, it looks like there will still be more orders. Although, I think Egypt is going with JF-17.

 

[BilalK]

Pakistan still has the 18 optional floating around as well.

Not sure if Libya ordered any...Iraq may though.

 

[falconlover81]

Guys as far as Pakistan's case is concerned its playing a game of wait and watch like if the political atmosphere remains to be conducive i think the no of planes F-16's that is to be procured by the PAF might go beyond 36 and will be in the initial range of 55-75 aircraft and that could extend the F-16 Production line well beyond 2015.cheers

 

[SABRE]

should be quite a while longer, off the top of my head, I could be wrong with some of this, they are still building for Pakistan, Greece, Libya, Romania, UAE. And of course, it looks like there will still be more orders. Although, I think Egypt is going with JF-17.

We keep shoving JF-17 into Egyptians face, especially since the became one of the biggest buyers of K-8 Trainers and bought about 90 F-7s but so far they have not hinted their interest officially (unless I have missed something).

PAF is only going for 18 newer one so that alone does not provide good extension time to LH-M on F-16 production facility. However, given the interest and orders of the above mentioned countries the production line for F-16 may survive beyond 2015.

In an unrelated note (which may have effects on Pakistan's purchase of F-16s) there has been a rumor circulating that PAF is negotiating for Mirages with France. The news was said to be broken by GEO Tv (one of the premier news sources in Pakistan). As far as we know France does not have older Mirage III and V anymore while newer Mirage2000s are not being produced.

 

[dragonfire]

F-16 is a valid contendor in the Indian MRCA competition, even though most ppl i have spoken with are confident of f-16 not winning the competition; am sure that the producers of f-16 would be interested to know the results before shutting shop, besides isnt turkey doing something with their fleet

 

[swerve]

should be quite a while longer, off the top of my head, I could be wrong with some of this, they are still building for Pakistan, Greece, Libya, Romania, UAE.

Not Libya, & Romania hasn't yet selected anything AFAIK. The UAE order may now be complete.

In an unrelated note (which may have effects on Pakistan's purchase of F-16s) there has been a rumor circulating that PAF is negotiating for Mirages with France. The news was said to be broken by GEO Tv (one of the premier news sources in Pakistan). As far as we know France does not have older Mirage III and V anymore while newer Mirage2000s are not being produced.

Could be connected to the rumours about the UAE being interested in Rafale, but with part-exchange of its Mirage 2000s. One can imagine that the French would be very keen to find a customer for almost 60 used M2Ks (half of them quite new), & Pakistans favourable experience with older Mirages, & proven ability to make the most out of old aircraft, would seem to make it a prime candidate for that customer.

If, of course, there is any truth in either rumour. They may be pure invention, for all I know.

 

[faheem1]

guzs anybody know the schdule of handover f-16 52+ to pakistan when pakistan receive his first f-16 52+ and further used f-16 a/b

 

[SABRE]

guzs anybody know the schdule of handover f-16 52+ to pakistan when pakistan receive his first f-16 52+ and further used f-16 a/b

1st batch was suppose to be rolled out in January this year but so far nothing. I guess we'll have to wait till February and/or march 2009.

 

[ROCK45]

Greece

I can't see Greece buying more F-16s unless they have a fair number of soon to be retirees or flat out replacements.

Pakistan difficult to read

Iraq would seem like a safer bet but the environment is the key.

Romania- Is the Gripen out already? I don't know the latest on them if somebody could help thanks

How about Chile? I know they bought a fair amount of upgraded A/B's and copper prices are going down but would they want to add to their flagship Block-52 batch?

 

[SABRE]

Could be connected to the rumours about the UAE being interested in Rafale, but with part-exchange of its Mirage 2000s. One can imagine that the French would be very keen to find a customer for almost 60 used M2Ks (half of them quite new), & Pakistans favourable experience with older Mirages, & proven ability to make the most out of old aircraft, would seem to make it a prime candidate for that customer.

If, of course, there is any truth in either rumour. They may be pure invention, for all I know.

That is what my belief is (that PAF might be interested in UAE's Mirage2000-9). But it still doesn't make sense in terms on funds and logistics at this moment for Pakistan. Plus UAE wont be giving them up till they get their Rafales. By the time they'll get their Rafales PAF will have F-16s and probably FC-20s also. This will only make sence if UAE is willing to give them up immediately. I suppose the media misinterpreted something.

 

[swerve]

The UAE is universally reported to currently have more fighters than it can fly, so might be willing to trade in the older Mirages, i.e. those bought in the 1980s (entered service from 1989) & later upgraded to -9 standard, straight away. That would leave them with about 90 fighters, including ca 30 Mirage 2000-9, which is probably all they can operate - and is a pretty potent force. The new batch of -9s could be handed in as replaced by Rafales, probably from ca 2012.

There are also the Qatari Mirage 2000s. Combined, that's a fleet of 70 aircraft, of which the majority are fairly new.

 

[SABRE]

The UAE is universally reported to currently have more fighters than it can fly, so might be willing to trade in the older Mirages, i.e. those bought in the 1980s (entered service from 1989) & later upgraded to -9 standard, straight away. That would leave them with about 90 fighters, including ca 30 Mirage 2000-9, which is probably all they can operate - and is a pretty potent force. The new batch of -9s could be handed in as replaced by Rafales, probably from ca 2012.

There are also the Qatari Mirage 2000s. Combined, that's a fleet of 70 aircraft, of which the majority are fairly new.

This is turning into Mirage thread instead of F-16 and that too on the basis of pure rumors

All I'll add is if PAF goes for M2k5/9 then its only going to be 18 F-16C/D for PAF (I presume).

 

[F-15 Eagle]

There will still be many countries buy new F-16s though the U.S. will not but they will still make upgrades. The U.S. will focus on the F-35 but many international partners will continue to buy new F-16s for some years to come.

 

[ROCK45]

American Vipers

Would current USAF F-16s have much value in 4 to 6 years from now? Once the F-35 full production really begins and aircraft are assigned to active squadron wouldn't some F-16 squadrons become available? I remember seeing an article about Hornets being upgraded basically having their body's redone could similar upgrades be carried out and/or maybe to the wings be a worth while upgrade? Maybe as an low cost offset to keep countries buying American?

 

[radiosilence]

With current orders the F-16 production line will be open until December 2012.

Current orders

Morocco - 24
Turkey - 30
Pakistan - 18 with an option for an additional 18
Greece - 40

Potential customers

Romania - (DSCA announcement was in may 2008 for 24 F-16s but the order is still up in the air)
Egypt
Taiwan
Iraq

 

[ROCK45]

Taiwan

radiosilence good pick up totally forgot about Taiwan that might be a large sale and could keep the line open for years by themselves.

 

[OPSSG]

With current orders the F-16 production line will be open until December 2012.

Current orders

Morocco - 24
Turkey - 30
Pakistan - 18 with an option for an additional 18
Greece - 40

Potential customers

Romania - (DSCA announcement was in may 2008 for 24 F-16s but the order is still up in the air)
Egypt
Taiwan
Iraq

@radiosilence, many thanks. Insightful post.

From what you have just posted, it looks like the F-16 production numbers is larger than the current Superhornet and F-15 orders combined. (Am I wrong?)

@ROCK45, I would say that Taiwan F-16 orders are hard to predict because:

(i) the Taiwanese want to buy more advanced fighters. However, the issue is what numbers and type of aircraft that the US is willing to sell to Taiwan; and

(ii) I'm sure that Taiwan would like to buy F-15s or F-18s (it's just that the US may not want to sell them more capable aircraft).

 

[dragonfire]

From what you have just posted, it looks like the F-16 production numbers is larger than the current Superhornet and F-15 orders combined. (Am I wrong?)

Arent there active orders from the USN for the Shornets numbering into the hundereds, apart from which the orders from Australia are there too

 

[radiosilence]

From what you have just posted, it looks like the F-16 production numbers is larger than the current Superhornet and F-15 orders combined. (Am I wrong?)

USN - (As of october 2008 ) 93 F/A-18 E/F yet to be delivered.

• EA-18Gs - Uses the same production line as the Superhornet. 90 were ordered.

Foreign orders
Australia - 24 F/A-18 E/F
Singapore - 24 F-15 SG

If my numbers are correct, its safe to assume that the Superhornet and F-15 combined orders might in the same ballpark as the F-16 orders.