September 9, 2003 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
U.S. allies in the Middle East are expected to see significant delays in the delivery of the F-16s. Israel has already been told of a delay in the delivery of the F-16I. Egypt and Greece could also be expected to see delays over the next few months.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-16, has acknowledged a delay of more than two months to the start of delivery of the F-16I to Israel. The U.S. defense contractor attributed the delay to a two-week strike in April at the Fort Worth, Texas facility.
Israel was to have received the first of 50 F-16Is in October. Lockheed Martin is now expected to deliver the first F-16I before the start of 2004. Israel will receive at least two F-16Is per month throughout 2004.
