UAE announced plans to upgrade its F-16 fighter jets

The UAE Armed Forces announced plans to upgrade its fleet of F-16 fighter jets to the latest standard.

According to officials, UAE’s government has awarded Lockheed Martin a US$1.6 billion for to upgrade its fleet of 80 Lockheed Martin F-16E/F  fighters.

“The UAE Air Force flies the most advanced fourth-generation fighter in the world—the F-16 Block 60 ‘Desert Falcon,'” according to Lockheed Martin.

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“This is yet another step forward in our partnership to enhance UAE national security and air defense capabilities.”

The UAE is also interested in fifth-generation fighter jets with a preference for Lockheed Martin’s F-35, which is the only Western-made jet that fully meets those requirements.

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