Delivery of first RBAF Block 70 F-16s

On 6 March 2024, the first three Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft destined for the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) started their delivery flight.

The trio, consisting of two F-16C and one F-16D Block 70 fighters, were accompanied by two KC-135R Stratotankers and made a night stop at Morón de la Frontera Air Base in Spain. The new Vipers include F-16C 1603 (FMS 18-0003) and 1605 (FMS 18-0005), along with F-16D 1612 (FMS 18-0012).

In the upcoming days, the F-16s will proceed with their journey, culminating in their delivery to the Fighter Wing stationed at Shaikh Isa Air Base (Kingdom of Bahrain).

The procurement deal for the F-16s was inked in November 2017 by Lockheed Martin, the US Department of Defense (DoD), and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Pioneering the acquisition of the new-build Block 70 fighters, Bahrain became the first country to order sixteen Block 70 F-16s, distributed among ten F-16C and six F-16D models.

Credit photo: Ethan Ferro