As the US has approved the sale of 40 new F-16s Block 70 along with upgrade kits for 79 existing Block 40 of TuAF to F-16V standards, everyone wants to know what’s included in this deal and why it is going to cost so much to Ankara for a relatively older aircraft while the rival Greece is getting the same number of much advanced F-35 Lightening II 5th generation aircraft for only USD 8.6 billion.

As they say, the devil lies in the details, and in this particular deal is no exception. A closer look at the items included in the deal makes perfect sense. A statement issued by Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) makes things clear. According to this statement, Türkiye has requested to buy 40 new F-16 aircraft and to modernize 79 existing F-16 aircraft to V-Configuration.

As per DSCA’s statement, the details for request is as under;

32X F-16C Block 70 aircraft
8X F-16D Block 70 aircraft
48X F110-GE-129D engines (40 installed, 8 spares)
149X Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG) (40 installed, 10 spares) for new F-16s
99X for modernization program (79 installed, 20 spares)
149X AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR) (40 installed, 10 spares, 99 for modernization program (79 installed, 20 spares;
169X Modular Mission Computers (MMC) 7000AHC (or available mission computer) (40 installed, 10 spares, 119 for modernization program (79 installed, 40 spares)
159X Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code capability and Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (40 installed, 8 spares, 111 for modernization program (79 installed, 32 spares)
168X Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) or equivalent Electronic Warfare (EW) systems (40 installed, 10 spares, 118 for modernization program (79 installed, 39 spares)
858X LAU-129 guided missile launchers
44X M61 Vulcan cannons (40 installed, 4 spares)
16X AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP)
151X Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS) (40 installed and 4 ground terminals, 8 spares, and 99 for modernization program (79 installed and 4 ground terminals, 16 spares)
952X Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120C-8 or equivalent missiles
96X AMRAAM guidance sections
864X GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs Increment 1 (SDB-1)
2 GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1 guided test vehicles
2 GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1 practice bombs
96X AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM)
96X AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM)
10X AARGM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM)
11X AARGM control sections
12X AARGM guidance sections
401X AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles
12X AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs)
40X AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical guidance units
12X AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder CATM guidance units
12X MK82 Inert Filled general purpose bombs
850X Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) KMU-556 tail kits for GBU-31
200X JDAM KMU-557 tail kits for GBU-31v3
384X JDAM KMU-559 tail kits for GBU-32
3X JDAM KMU-572 tail kits for GBU-38 or Laser JDAM GBU-54
1,050X FMU-152 fuzes.



This detail shows that the said deal is not about only few fighters and upgrade kits. Türkiye is also going to replenish its air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon inventory as well. The amount of weapons and sub systems included in this deal shows how outdated/ inadequate TuAF’s arsenal has become over the years when ties with Washington remained cold. Now as both countries were able to break the stalemate over NATO’s expansion with inclusion of Sweden in the alliance.

The approved deal also includes AMRAAM CATMs; AIM-9X Sidewinder training missiles and Active Optical Target Detectors (AOTD); HARM control sections, rocket motors, and warhead spares; FMU-139 Joint Programmable Fuzes; DSU-38 Laser Guidance Sets for GBU-54; missile containers; AN/ARC-238 radios;

According to details, the new F-16s and upgraded one will be integrated with AN/APX-127 or equivalent Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Combined Interrogator Transponders (CIT) with mode 5; Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS) II or Scorpion Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tracker (HObIT) helmet mounted displays; Infrared Search and Track (IRST) pods; AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems (CMDS); KY-58 and KIV-78 cryptographic devices; Simple Key Loaders (SKLs); additional secure communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic equipment; Flight Mission Planning Systems (FMPS); Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receivers (ROVER) 6i/6Sis; Tactical Network ROVER kits, and STINGER Multi Bi-Directional (MBI) antennas; SNIPER pod pylons; impulse cartridges, chaff, flares, and ammunition; bomb components and Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); Rackmount Improved Avionics Intermediate Shop (RIAIS); Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); Triple Missile Launcher Adapters (TMLA). TMLA are new addition to F-16s latest block 70/72. This will allow F-16s to carry 4 additional AIM-120 AMRAAMs (+2 under each wing).

Apart from these, the deal also includes major modernization upgrade kits for F-16 Block 40 and Block 50+ aircraft and Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) modifications.

– Aircraft and engine repair and refurbishment after maintenance
– Engine and aircraft spare and repair parts, consumables, and accessories and repair and return support
– Aircraft, engine, ground, and pilot support equipment
– Classified/Unclassified Computer Program Identification Number (CPIN) systems
– Electronic warfare database support
– Pylons, launcher adaptors, weapon interfaces, bomb and ejection racks, conformal fuel tanks, and travel pods – –
– Precision measurement equipment laboratory and calibration support
– Classified/Unclassified software and software support
– Classified/Unclassified publications, manuals, and technical documentation
– Maps and mapping data
– Facilities and construction support
– Simulators and training devices
– Personnel training and training equipment
– U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, studies and surveys
and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The estimated total cost is $23.0 billion.

The above-mentioned details make it pretty clear why this deal will cost so much. The sheer volume of equipment, weapons and spares Türkiye will be getting along with new F-16s shows how much maintenance and upgradation the existing fleet of TuAF required. Türkiye initiated Ozgur program lately to overcome this dilemma, but scope of that program is limited compared to this comprehensive deal with OEM. Türkiye has made tremendous strides in indigenous military systems during the last 10-15 years. Its drone programs emerged as major success story which made Türkiye as key exporter in the UCAV market globally. Still, developing an advanced fighter jet alone is not a small undertaking even for developed economies. Türkiye lost its chance of getting much advanced F-35s when it purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system, despite strong opposition from Washington. This time around, it seems that Ankara has learned its lesson and fulfill Washington’s demand of allowing Sweden to become part of NATO alliance. This will also help Turkey to get closer to Sweden as well, which remains one of the most advanced military technology nation with many successful projects.

Both Türkiye and Sweden can work on multiple military projects, or Türkiye can get many sub-systems directly from Sweden for its native projects. Turkiye will continue to upgrade its remaining F-16s with Ozgur upgrade program. According to World Air Forces 2020 publication, Turkiye currently has 245 F-16s of all types in service. With this deal, this number will go around 300 of which 119 would be of Block-70 standards (40 New + 79 Upgraded). Still, numerous F-16s would require Ozgur upgrades.

Shahzad Masood Roomi

Shahzad Masood Roomi is founding member and, editor security and geopolitics at GCW. He is IT graduate and has more than 10 years experience of being a  geopolitics and defense affairs analyst. He focuses on IR, geopolitics, strategic studies, maritime security, cybersecurity issues, military aviation, history and geography. His work has published in national and international media outlets.