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Document title: F-16 Air Forces - Potential Customers :: F-16.net :: The Ultimate F-16 Reference
Original URL: http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article27.html
Printed on: 18 February 2010
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Potential Customers

Potential Customers

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Federal Air Force

The 28 Pakistani AF F-16A/B aircraft stored at the AMARC could have possibly been donated to the Air Force of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a part of the US led 'Train & Equip' program. As Pakistan is already taking part in this program (training Bosnian Army Anti-tank missile teams), this is a solution that could satisfy both sides in this long dispute.

As of June 1998, the plans were in a stalemate, especially because the 'Train & Equip' program was suspended due to some confusion about the Federal Army insignia.

If the plans go ahead, the Air Force will build a new airbase to house the two squadrons of F-16s they hope to form in the beginning of the next century. If the Pakistani F-16s cannot be acquired, the Air Force will look for some other second-hand F-16A's, and hope that it has enough money to upgrade at least some of them to the MLU standard. (This modification is more or less necessary given the fact that neighboring states are fielding MiG-29s.)

The Air Force also considered purchasing stored Dutch F-16s, but as it would seem now, one squadron of ex-Dutch F-16A's will go to Slovenian Air Force (not confirmed).

The last years, nothing has been heard of a possible sale of F-16s to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Pakistani F-16s have already been used by the USAF and US Navy, so this possibility is no longer an option. Surplus European or USAF F-16s are still available on the market.


Bulgaria - Bulgarski Voenno Vzdushni Sili

In the course of 2005 the Bulgarian government has been searching desperately for new fighter aircraft to replace their aging Mig-21/23 fleet. Both options of new and second-hand aircraft have been discussed. Lockheed-Martin has offered brandnew F-16C/D block 50's while informative talks with the Belgian government to purchase second-hand F-16's with the MLU upgrade also took place. No more information is available at this moment.


Croatia - Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo

Rumor has it that Croatia is looking to replace its MiG-21bis force with a modern fighter, preferably the F-16. In the late nineties a couple of Aviano based USAF F-16C's performed a series of demonstration flights in Croatia to back a possible sale of F-16s to that country. Since, no further news has been released about the subject.


Ecuador - Fuerza Aé Ecuatoriana

Ecuador hopes to procure up to 50 fighters to match Peru's recent purchase of MiG-29s from Belarus. Ecuadorian leaders have met with US officials to discuss the possible acquisition of Lockheed-Martin F-16s or Boeing F/A-18 aircraft. Because of the country's very poor financial condition it is very unlikely they will ever purchase an advanced fighter as the F-16, let alone a fleet of fifty.


India - Bharatiya Vayu Sena

In 2005 the Indian government started a tender for the acquisition of 126 multirole fighters. Information was requested about the Mig-29M2, F-16C/D, F/A-18, JAS-39 and Rafale. A decision hasn't been put forward up untill now but is expected somewhere in late 2006, early 2007.

Lockheed has already stated that if the $9 billion deal will come through, a majority of the aircraft will be build by the Indian state-owned HAL company. This would mean the Indians would become the 6th country where the viper will be build (after the US, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey and South Korea).


Philippines - Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas

Washington offered to sell 26 F-16 fighter planes to the Philippines, which current inventory consists of about 15 1960's era F-5A/B Freedom Fighters. The only other combat aircraft are 18 Aermacchi S.211 trainer/light attack aircraft and 3 OV-10A Bronco COIN aircraft. The Philippines are looking to procure F-16s in order to bolster its claim over the Spratly Islands. Washington offered the F-16s which were originally purchased by Pakistan but then embargoed. However, due to the Asian currency crisis, the military expansion plan will probably not go ahead.


Romania - Fortele Aeriene ale Romaniei

At the end of 2005 rumors were spread out that Romania was in negotiations with Israel to acquire a batch of second-hand F-16A/B's. With the introduction of the F-16I in the IDFAF these aircraft are comming available on the market. The aircraft would receive an extensive upgrade (even including the so-called ACE upgrade) and overhaul in Israel with cooperation of a Romanian aircraft factory.

In 2006 it was also reported that Romania has asked for the possibility of acquiring a batch of second-hand Belgian F-16s More details have not yet been released.


Saudi Arabia - Al Quwwat al Jawwiya as Sa'udiya

In February 1997, Saudi Arabia announced it was considering an order of 70 to 100 F-16s to replace its aging fleet of F-5 aircraft. Total value of the order would be in the USD $5 billion to $6 billion range.

According to Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, who as a fighter pilot recently flew the F-16, no final decision has been made. Given the Saudi's tendency to link major military contracts to politics, this decision could well be delayed until 1999 or early 2000 to achieve maximum political impact in the next presidential elections in the US.

The Saudi's would also like to acquire the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Main interest of the Saudi's would be the proposed F-16 Block 60.

Up to now, no further news about a possible sale of F-16s to the Middle East kingdom has been released. Due to the tense political situation between the US and Saudi Arabia at this moment an arms deal is not very likely to happen over the next few months.


Slovenia - Slovensko Vojasko Letalstvo

There is a slight chance that Slovenia will buy 10 to 12 F-16s in the not-too-distant future. Slovenia hosted four Aviano Block 40s on August 29th, 1997 (2 F-16C's and 2 F-16D's). During their stay, Slovenian AF pilots (among which the Commander-in-Chief) were invited for a backseat ride in one of the F-16D's. The visit was unofficial, and so far no formal announcements have been made.

As of mid-1998, it was possible that one squadron of ex-Dutch F-16A's would go to the Slovenian Air Force. Up to now no such transfer has come to pass.

Slovenia has also been offered the Kfir and the JAS-39 as alternatives.



Special thanks

  • Hartmuth Schroettner;
  • Allan Hansen;
  • Mario Serelle;
  • Dutch;
  • Tomislav;
  • Todd Stephenson;
  • Jarmo Lindberg;
  • Dan.

Errors and Omissions

Jun 22, 2005 - 09:26 AM

Colombia has been and is a potential buyer of the system F-16, in the government of Ronald Reagan were offered 12 F-16 C/D Block 30 to US 14 million each one, but Colombia buy Kfir C-7 to US 6 million and that were 14 them acquired. But recently they were offered by the commander of the SOUTHCOM Gn James T Hill, airplanes F-16 A/B Block 15 former ANG for to be modernized (MLU) in Colombia, offering that remain in wait, but given the possible acquisitions of airplanes SU-27 Flankers on the part of Venezuela, the interes of Colombia by the F-16 be taken up again or another avion of better benefits.

RGDS

Oct 22, 2006 - 02:12 AM 		Ecuadorian Airforce

Ecuador was asking permission from the USA to obtain used F-16 from the Netherlands which the US did not approve in the late 90s because they did not want to begin an arms race and destabalize the region. The funny thing is that the US refused to give them to Ecuador to stop an arms ace even though Peru had recently aquired Mig 29 in response to the losses they suffered in 1995 in the Cenepa border conflict. The arms race started anyways between Peru and Chile with Chile buying new navy ships F-16 and Leopard 1 and 2 tanks.

Aug 19, 2007 - 08:02 AM 		Philippine Air Force comment

With the F-5As phased out of service, the S-211s of the 5th Fighter Wing took the air superiority role. But the Phil Air Force still has plans to acquire second-hand Israeli F-16s that the Sufa will replace in the IDFAF service. The Phil AF is the weakest Air Force in SEA and a number of F-16s may at least improve its air defense posture. Already there are silent proposals to break-up the Phil AF and divide its air assets to the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy by need and role.


May 27, 2008 - 04:01 AM 		F-16s to Romania

The Pentagon notified Congress of the possible sale of 48 F-16 fighters to Romania as part of a deal valued at 4.5 billion dollars. Two dozen of the fighters would be new F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft built by Lockheed Martin, and the other two dozen will be refurbished surplus USAF F-16C/D Block 25 aircraft, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

Jul 13, 2008 - 10:00 PM 		F-16s for Croatia

During last months Croatian Air Force has undergone sort of unofficial tender, to see which companies are interested. So far, JAS-39, F-16 (from USA and Israel), Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 have been offered. From those, only JAS-39 and F-16 are likely to be selected. So far, JAS-39 gave best offer, followed by Israeli F-16s. It remains to be seen what will be decided.

Sep 15, 2008 - 02:24 AM 		Iraqi Air Force

As of September 2008, the IQAF has expressed an interest in buying 36 new-built F-16s to reduce its reliance on U.S. air power and potentially allow more American forces to withdraw from the country according the US military.

WASHINGTON -- The Iraqi government is seeking to buy 36 advanced F-16 fighters from the U.S., say American military officials familiar with the request, a move that could help reduce its reliance on U.S. air power and potentially allow more American forces to withdraw from the country than had been proposed.

Dec 18, 2009 - 01:45 PM 		India

In 2005 the Indian government started a tender for the acquisition of 126 multirole fighters. Information was requested about the Mig-29M2, F-16C/D, F/A-18, JAS-39 and Rafale. A decision hasn't been put forward up untill now but is expected somewhere in late 2006, early 2007.

Lockheed has already stated that if the $12 billion deal will come through, a majority of the aircraft will be build by the Indian state-owned HAL company. This would mean the Indians would become the 6th country where the viper will be build (after the US, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey and South Korea)
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