F-16 Falcon: symbol of US partnership with Middle East allies

The F-16 Falcon fighter has been an enduring symbol of the partnership between the US military and a number of its allies in the Middle East.

After Turkey and Israel, Egypt operates the largest F-16 fleet in the region.

The F-16 has formed the backbone of the Egyptian fleet over the past 40 years, today making up nine of Egypt's sixteen squadrons with 207 aircraft in service, according to Military Watch Magazine.

F-16s also accounted for almost all of Jordan's fighter jet acquisitions between 1982 and 2013, it said.

Jordan's peace agreement with Israel in 1994 also paved the way for military acquisitions, with the kingdom initially arranging for a lease of F-16s from the United States with an eventual transfer of ownership.

Under the Peace Falcon I and II programmes, Jordan received a further 33 F-16s, and with additional acquisitions since, currently operates 43 F-16As as its primary combat aircraft, as well as 18 F-16Bs.

Bahrain was the first Gulf state to order F-16s, per F-16.net, and has operated the fighter jets since 1987.

In May 2002, Oman agreed to purchase 12 F-16s from the United States, and in August 2010 signed a contract for a further 10 F-16C and two F-16Ds.

Iraq made its initial order of 18 F-16 fighters in the spring of 2009, with later purchases bringing the total to 96.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) meanwhile operates the newer F-16 variants, the F-16 Block 60 F-16E (single seat) and F-16F (two seat), which were developed to the UAE Air Force's specifications.

F-16 modifications

F-16s have been a key part of the alliance between the United States and Israel since the signing of the US-brokered Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt in September 1978.

After the signing of the accords, which opened the path for the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, the United States approved Israel's plan to acquire 75 F-16A/Bs, according to F-16.net.

Following the toppling of the shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in February 1979, the United States diverted F-16s originally meant for the Iranian air force to Israel.

The first four F-16s arrived in Israel in July 1980, modified to meet Israeli requirements. Deliveries of F-16s have continued, with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) at one point operating the largest F-16 fleet outside the United States.

Israel has ordered 362 F-16s in total from early F-16A/Bs to the latest F-16I, representing about 8% of the IAF's total aircraft inventory. It currently operates 175 F-16C/I aircraft, according to Flight Global's 2023 World Air Forces.

The first fleet of F-16Is arrived in Israel in 2004.

The F-16I Sufa, a two-seat variant of the F-16C/D Block 50/52, has an increased performance engine and features a range of modifications that were specifically designed to meet the IAF's requirements.

The jet can be armed with advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM), Python 4 and 5 air-to-air missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, anti-radiation missiles, laser-guided bombs and GPS-guided bombs.

"The F-16I is fitted with Israeli-designed conformal fuel tanks that extend the jet's flight range by increasing the fuel it can hold by 50%," according to the 19FortyFive defence website.

"The placement of the tanks also allows the wings' inner store stations, which are typically utilised for external tanks, to be available for weapons storage. This variation alone doubles the Sufa's air-to-ground weapons capacity."

The F-16I is modified with an Israeli-made electronic warfare suite and avionics.

"Approximately half of the Falcon's avionics were replaced with Israeli innovations including the aerial towed decoy," the website said.

"The Sufa's electronic warfare suite incorporates radar warning systems and jamming capabilities, including the Elisra SPS 3000 self-protection jammer."

The F-16I also features the Elbit Dash IV display, which shortens the lock-on process time for engagements, as well as a helmet-mounted cueing system.

"This Israeli development can link aircraft information such as height and speed to the system, enabling weapons to target enemy aircraft using sight only."

"Dash IV allows the pilot to locate targets at high angles off the nose of the fighter, providing 360-degree information to the pilot," it added.

Successful deployment

The United States has produced more than 4,600 F-16s since production was approved in 1976, making it the most flown fighter aircraft around the world.

Israel has successfully deployed the fighter jets for more than four decades, scoring 47 kills to date, according to F-16.net.

Back in April 1981, two F-16s from the same IAF squadron downed two Syrian Mi-8 helicopters near the Lebanese town of Zahle.

In the 1982 Lebanon war, Israeli F-16s engaged Syrian aircraft in one of the largest air battles involving jet aircraft, which lasted for three days.

Israeli F-16s were credited with a 44-0 kill ratio during the conflict, with one aircraft reportedly shooting down four Syrian fighters in a single sortie.

Since then, the F-16 has continued to carry out important tasks for the IAF.

The US has provided extensive military aid and support to Israel, helping it respond to threats from Iran and its proxies and promote regional stability.

The US has provided military equipment and training to help establish the IDF. This has included small arms, artillery, and aircraft, as well as training for Israeli pilots and military officers.

The US has continued to provide significant military aid to Israel, including advance weaponry, intel sharing, and joint military exercises.

This has included the transfer of weapons such as the F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, as well as advanced missile defence systems like the Iron Dome.