Lockheed Martin is gearing up for maximum production of its modernised F-16V Block 70/72 fighters

Lockheed Martin is now building modernised F-16 Block 70/72 (Viper) fighters. The company is preparing to reach maximum production levels.

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Low rates are the reason for delays in deliveries of the F-16V Block 70/72. Taiwan in particular. Lockheed Martin is working to solve the problem and plans to increase production to four fighters per month by the end of 2025f.

The announcement was made by OJ Sanchez, vice president of the F-16 and F-22 programmes at Lockheed Martin. At the same time, the manufacturer intends to hand over 6-8 fighter jets to customers in 2023 of this year. The first aircraft went to Bahrain in March 2023.

The White House said about the $19bn backlog of foreign military sales to Taiwan. The US presidential administration is looking for ways out of the situation. Pentagon procurement chief Bill LaPlante said it is the F-16V fighter jets that account for a weighty portion of the $19bn.

As for Taiwan, the island nation's authorities are no longer hoping that Lockheed Martin will start delivering aircraft in 2023. Taipei has ordered 66 F-16V fighter jets. All the aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2026. As compensation, Lockheed Martin will modernise the Taiwan Air Force's fleet of 139 F-16s.

Source: Defence One