is one of the most classic fourth-generation fighter jets. The total production of F-16 exceeds 4,500 aircraft and is equipped in more than 30 countries and regions. There is no doubt that both of these data can be ranked at the forefront of history.
From the 1970s to the present, the F-16 has participated in many wars and conflicts and created many classic battles. Over the past 40 years, improved models of the F-16 have been continuously introduced, and its production continues to this day. But no matter how it is modified, it is only a fourth-generation aircraft after all. With the new generation of "low-end" fifth-generation aircraft such as F-35 entering service, it is said that the F-16 should begin to gradually cease production and begin to enter the end of its career, but the Americans Just don't play by common sense. Not only are they not preparing to stop production of the F-16, but they are still promoting it aggressively and even plan to open a new production line! Just asking you if you are afraid. What's going on with
? It turns out that recently, Lockheed Martin first promoted F-16 Block 70/72 to Ukraine, and then the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the sale of 12 F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines. And the matching missile .
Lockheed Martin's new version of the F-16
In addition, according to the US Air Force, countries and regions such as Taiwan, Bahrain , Morocco , Slovakia and Bulgaria have ordered at least 128 F-16s in recent years. 16 Block70/72, and some customers have expressed interest in subsequent purchases; South Korea, Greece and other countries have also signed old aircraft upgrade contracts, and a total of 405 old F-16s will be upgraded to the same standards. And since 25 countries around the world are currently using various types of F-16 fighter aircraft , they are all likely to upgrade these aircraft, and the market prospects are quite good. Therefore, the Americans decided to build a new plant at Lockheed Martin in Greenville, South Carolina. In the factory, another F-16 production line will be added.
Why is this fighter , which has a history of more than 40 years, so "hot selling"? Probably the main reason is that the F-35 is too expensive and difficult to use.
F-16 production line
As we all know, although the F-35 was initially developed as an "economic fighter" project and its goal was to replace the F-16, its price has risen again and again with delays and overspending since then. . Although the U.S. military’s own F-35 unit price has dropped to less than 100 million U.S. dollars (the F-35A has dropped to less than 80 million U.S. dollars), after all, this is the U.S. military’s own “internal special price” and has not yet been considered. The cost of various supporting equipment, spare parts, technical support, etc.
F-35 is really expensive.
While other countries want to buy F-35, they cannot match the price of the US military itself. For example, how much does the American hardcore brother Japan pay for buying the F-35? In the 2021 budget, Japan Airlines’ unit price for purchasing F-35A is US$93 million, and the unit price of F-35B is US$120 million. Compared with the US military's own price, it is more than 25% higher. In addition, the prices of supporting equipment, spare parts, and technical support are not low. The related costs for four F-35As are as high as US$540 million.
This is a friendly price for die-hard guys. If other countries want to buy it, you can imagine the price.
The cost of use is even more considerable.
In addition, the cost of use of the F-35 is also considerable. According to public reports, the hourly flight cost of the F-35A fighter is about 31,000 US dollars, and the F-35B is 35,000 US dollars. Compared with those non-stealth fighters, this cost is quite high. You know, the F-16 The hourly flight cost is only $8,000.
In addition, buying the F-35 also faces serious political risks. Don’t forget, Turkey had ordered F-35s long ago. As a result, after the attempted military coup in 2016, U.S.-Turkey relations took a turn for the worse. Coupled with the fact that Egypt and Sudan later flirted with the Russians for their "dream of a great power", the Americans were furious and directly suspended the delivery of F-35s.
Turkey is a loser.
So, the F-35 is not something you can just buy if you want. The threshold is set high.Not to mention that the US military itself has orders for thousands of aircraft waiting to be completed. Even if you place an order, when will it be delivered still depends on your character?
what? You mean the spirit of contract? Don’t be ridiculous, when Americans talk about the spirit of contract, it must be a profitable time.
In addition, the F-35 also has huge risks of leakage. Media have previously reported that the F-35's flight control system will automatically upload some key flight data to the rear server. Well, not the user's military server, but Lockheed Martin's and the U.S. military's server. In other words, Americans may know how your F-35 is used before you do, and they may know it better than you do.
Therefore, taken together, many countries waiting to replace the F-16 may not be able to count on the F-35. After all, most countries are not wealthy like Japan and European countries and cannot spend a lot of money. The F-16, which has been available for more than 40 years, can't always be like this, right? After so many years, various equipment has become outdated and outdated and needs to be upgraded urgently.
In addition, there are other sources of fighters to choose from in this world. For example, the Russian Su-30 series, Su-35 series and MiG-29/35 series. Although these aircraft are theoretically the same generation of fighter jets as the F-16, they are produced later, have updated equipment, and have longer body life. .
What’s even more amazing is that the Russians have now put Su-57 on the shelves. Although the quality of this kind of aircraft " fifth-generation aircraft " is slightly insufficient, it still has a relatively large advantage when faced with various fourth-generation aircraft, not to mention the early models of the F-16 with a long history.
So, for traditional American aircraft users, they really don’t have many choices.
what? You mean F-15EX and Super Hornet ? forget it. The Americans themselves estimate that the initial price of the F-15EX is as high as US$150 million. Even the earlier F-15SE "Silent Eagle" is priced at about US$100 million, which is no cheaper than the F-35; Super Hornet Likewise, not only is the price high, but the delivery speed is just as slow.
F-15EX is not cheap either.
If you think about it this way, it is not difficult to find that upgrading existing F-16s or continuing to purchase new production F-16s is really an emergency solution. It is very suitable for those who are short of money and need to upgrade their air force. nation.
If you look at these two new customers that Americans are interested in, they fit this characteristic very well. Let’s talk about the Philippines first. The Philippine military is so pitiful that the speaker is sad and the listener is in tears. Let’s put it this way: The Philippine Air Force has not even had a jet fighter for a long time. Let alone fourth-generation aircraft like the F-16, even if you give them a batch of F-4, it will definitely be a combat power multiplier.
What about Ukraine? Even though he was great back then, after so many years of persevering in his pursuit of death, he is now extremely ugly. Most of the combat aircraft they inherited have been lost or scrapped, and they don't have the ability to replenish them yet, so they naturally take what others give them.
There are many countries in the world similar to the Philippines and Ukraine. After such a calculation, the market prospects of the F-16 are really considerable. Don't tell me, Americans are indeed admirable in discovering and exploring markets. Therefore, the F-16 will continue to fight for another 30 years without any pressure! T
