Jordan officially joins F-16 Block 70 Programme
On 16 June 2022, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hiyasat, al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniy (RJAF, Royal Jordanian Air Force) Commander and Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Hnaity, Jordan Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff and Jordan Armed Forces Commander officially signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the sale of eight new production F-16 Block 70V aircraft. With this LOA, the RJAF officially joins the F-16 Block 70 programme.
On 3 February 2022, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved the sale of twelve (eight single seat F-16C Block 70V and four dual-seat F-16D Block 70V) to the RJAF. It is not yet clear why the signed order consists of only eight instead of the twelve approved, but budgetary constraints might play a role.
The first squadron that is expected to be equipped with the F-16C Block 70V is 6 Squadron, that currently operates Peace Falcon III aircraft that were delivered in 2009. The RJAF operates three squadrons of F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons from As Shaheed Muwaffaq al Salti AB (aka Al Azraq), these are 1sq, 2sq and 6sq, respectively. For more information on the RJAF F-16s and the Peace Falcon deliveries read the Scramble Magazine news item of 4 February 2022.
Image by Lockheed Martin