F-16 Fighting Falcon News

October 6, 2003 (by Lieven Dewitte) - On 2 October 2003, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Czech Republic of F-16 A/B Block 10/15 Aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $650 million.
The Government of the Czech Republic has requested 12 F-16A block 15 Air Defense Fighter aircraft, 2 F-16B block 10 Operational Capabilities Upgrade (OCU) aircraft, 2 F-16A Block 10 OCU aircraft for cannibalization, 16 Pratt and Whitney F-100-PW-220 engines including 2 spare engines, and 35 LAU-129 launchers.

This possible sale could include 20 AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 4,000 rounds of 20mm cannon ammunition. Also provided will be F-16 associated support equipment, spare and repair parts, devices, simulators, ammunition, AMRAAM training missiles, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services and other related elements of logistics support to ensure full program supportability for up to 10 years of operational use.

The Czech Air Force currently operates MiG-21 aircraft. These former Warsaw Pact fighters are expensive to operate and maintain, lack essential NATO interoperability capabilities, and are nearing the end of their useful service lives.

The principal contractors would be Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems of Fort Worth, Texas; Pratt and Whitney of East Hartford, Connecticut; Raytheon Corporation of Lexington, Massachusetts; and United Fastners of Bayshore, New York. One or more proposed offset agreements may be related to this proposed sale.

This is a notice of a potential sale; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.