F-16 future production

[the road runner]

With full scale production of the F16 starting in December of 1975 and continuing past 2012+(37 years..)and build numbers at around 4000,the F16 with all its variants and upgrade paths looks like it will be flying till 2030+.
I am wondering if any members know what the build numbers for F16 stand at?

 

[Moebius]

In last month's issue of Combat Aircraft magazine (vol.9 number 6), Lieutenant General Craig R. McKinely Director of the Air National Guard stated that the ANG might lobby for new F-16s and F-15Es similar in build to the latest export models of each repsective plane. His reasoning was that the ANG will probably never receive the total number of F-22s and F-35s originally envisioned and would need new planes to supplement their numbers.

 

[BilalK]

With regards to potential orders, bear in mind that Pakistan had originally planned to order 55-75 new F-16s. Besides the current 36 (18 + 18 option), if political & financial conditions are favourable, PAF might acquire more new F-16s. Note the infrastructure & logistical investment PAF made, it would be natural to acquire more Falcons.

 

[ROCK45]

Numbers

I agree replacement F-16 and some F-15s are badly needed but can't see the USAF spending the money on them currently or in the near future. There's no going back F-35 and F-22 are the future with that said read below.

I know it's crazy and wouldn't happen but I'll like a new F-15 squadron for each coast, AESA equipped, for pulling alerts, patrols, Bear escorts, etc. Then (4) new F-16 squadrons for daily combat operations because lets face there is a gap before F-35s go active. These aircraft can get sucked into the ANG in a heartbeat and will not go to waste. No chance I know but wishful thinking.

Send a few squadrons of older Block-40s Viper to AZ a little early and the same with some Eagles.

 

[Moebius]

rock45


I think, I wasn't clear in what I wrote. Normally the Air National Guard gets some new aircraft and they also receive older aircraft that the USAF passes on to them. The ANG doesn't believe they will have enough new combat aircraft because of the procurement costs and because of the increased lifespans of 5th generation aircraft (meaning the USAF won't be giving them hand me downs of the newest planes for quite a while); so they are considering lobbying for the purchase of new build legacy platforms i.e F-16s and F-15Es.

(I apologize if I'm using incorrect terminology pertaining to aviation, I'm just an amateur)

 

[Zeus II]

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

Hello dear friends. This is my first post in this forum.

I would like to make a correction: Greece has only 30 F-16s ordered, not 40. The initial 2005 order included a plus 10 aircraft as an option, but that option was not exercised. The first of these new Falcon is expected to arrive at Araxos AFB within February. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed during 2009.

Currently there is a need for 30-40 additional fighters, and given that french Rafale is practically out and the economic crisis the country deals with, it is highly likely that an additional order will be put. It will be either a plus 10 aircraft, also Block 52+, to complement the 2 squadrons at Araxos, or 40 brand new falcons, perhaps with an AESA radar as option (Local LM representatives refer to it as Block 52++).

Best Regards.

 

[ROCK45]

Greece's order

Welcome to the forum

When you say "Currently there is a need for 30-40 additional fighters" is that for straight out replacements or does Greece's AF need to field more fighters?

What Block Viper does Greece's AF use the most currently?

Thanks

 

[Zeus II]

Welcome to the forum

When you say "Currently there is a need for 30-40 additional fighters" is that for straight out replacements or does Greece's AF need to field more fighters?

What Block Viper does Greece's AF use the most currently?

Thanks

Thank you for the welcome.

I just noticed that there is a relevant thread about the new fighter for the Hellenic Air Force.

Regarding your first question, the need is clearly for the substitution of older fighters, namely A-7Es (to be substituted by soon-to-arrive F-16s at Araxos) and 37 modernised F-4Es (that is 2 squadrons, but no selection for substitution). We do not need more fighters, just to maintain current numbers.

Greece has bought F-16s four times (Detailed info). All 4 Prime Ministers from 1981 till today have placed an order, clearly indicating the political background of its selection.

Regards.