July 11, 2000 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The U.S. government is expected to offer Hungary several used F-16 fighter planes withdrawn from service, as an alternative to the planned upgrade of Russian-built MiG-29 fighters. The offer would be conditional on a U.S. company upgrading the F-16s at the expense of the Hungarian government. The planes would then be handed over free of charge to Hungary.

Experts say that the U.S. planes could solve Budapest's problems regarding its air fleet for the next 15 years.

Related articles:

• Other General F-16 News
• News archive for July 2000