Lockheed Martin delivers 16 F-16 Block 70 fighters in 2024, with orders rising toward 200 units

Seven of the 16 aircraft were delivered in the final quarter of 2024, reflecting an acceleration in production towards the end of the year. The aircraft were procured through the U.S. Department of Defense under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, making specific contract details less publicly available.

Among the delivered aircraft are units destined for Bahrain and Slovakia, two of the initial customers for the F-16 Block 70. With this latest batch, Lockheed Martin has reportedly completed the production cycle for Bahrain’s full order of 16 aircraft, though it remains unclear whether all have been formally handed over.

For Slovakia, production has surpassed the halfway mark, with at least five single-seat F-16C and both two-seat F-16D aircraft completed. Three single-seat jets have already been transferred to Slovakia, while the remaining aircraft are expected to be delivered in the coming months.

It remains uncertain whether Lockheed Martin has delivered the first F-16C Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria, despite the jet completing its maiden flight in October 2024. Since mid-November, the aircraft has been undergoing test flights with Bulgarian national markings, indicating that its handover may be imminent.

Over the past two years, Lockheed Martin has delivered a total of 21 serial production F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft. The company currently has contracts for an additional 167 units, including a recently confirmed order from Turkey for 40 jets, finalised under a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) in 2024.

The F-16 programme is expected to surpass 200 confirmed orders in 2025, with potential sales opportunities emerging in countries such as the Philippines and Colombia. As production continues to ramp up, Lockheed Martin remains focused on fulfilling existing contracts while expanding the fighter jet’s global market presence.