F-16 Fighter Jets

AI pilot operates experimental F-16 fighter jet: What this means for war

With the midday sun blazing, an experimental orange and white F-16 fighter jet launched with a familiar roar that is a hallmark of US airpower. But the aerial combat that followed was unlike any other: This F-16 was controlled by artificial intelligence, not a human pilot. And riding in the front seat was Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. AI marks one of the biggest advances in military aviation since the introduction of stealth in the early 1990s, and the Air Force has aggressively leaned in. Even though the technology is not fully developed, the service is planning for an AI-enabled fleet of more than 1,000 unmanned warplanes to be operating by 2028. It was fitting that the dogfight took place at Edwards Air Force Base, a vast desert facility where Chuck Yeager broke the speed of sound and the military has incubated its most secret aerospace advances. Inside classified simulators and buildings with layers of shielding against surveillance, a new test-pilot generation is training A

US will start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s at air base in Arizona

The US will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, beginning at an Air National Guard base in October, the Pentagon said Thursday. The training is part of a U.S. and European effort to get the advanced fighter jets to Ukraine for its defense against invading Russian forces. American military officials stress it takes years of training to be able to field F-16 squadrons, limiting the impact the aircraft will have on Ukraine's defense for the near future. This is about the long-term support to Ukraine, the Pentagon spokesman, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, told reporters in Washington. This is not about the counteroffensive that they're conducting right now. The training will take place at Morris Air National Guard base in Tucson, Arizona. The pilots will first undergo English instruction at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, to bring their fluency up to the level needed to operate the aircraft, starting next month, Ryder said. Ukraine has long presse

Netherlands, Denmark will give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine: Dutch PM

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Sunday told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the Netherlands and Denmark will give F-16 warplanes to Ukraine. Rutte, meeting with Zelenskyy at a Dutch air base, said the planes would be delivered once unspecified conditions are met. The announcement came minutes after Rutte and Zelenskyy inspected two gray F-16 jets parked in a hangar at the base. The offer came two days after the Netherlands and Denmark said the US had authorized the countries to deliver American-made F-16s to Ukraine.

Assistance to Pakistan's F-16 not designed as a message to India: Pentagon

The US has said that its decision to provide a USD 450 million sustenance package for Pakistan's F-16 fleet is not designed as a message to India rather it is associated with America's defence partnership with Islamabad which is primarily focused on counterterrorism and nuclear security. On September 8, the Biden administration approved a USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan, reversing the decision of the previous Trump administration to suspend military aid to Islamabad for providing safe havens for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network. India has conveyed to the US its concerns over Washington's decision to provide a sustenance package for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet fleet. In a notification to the US Congress, the State Department made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale for sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 450 million, arguing that this will sustain Islamabad's capability to meet curren

Rajnath conveys concerns to US over sustenance package for Pak's F-16 fleet

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday conveyed to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin India's concerns over Washington's decision to provide sustenance package for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet fleet. Singh apprised Austin about India's concerns on the issue during a telephonic conversation. "I conveyed India's concern at the recent US decision to provide sustenance package for Pakistan's F-16 fleet," the defence minister said on Twitter. The US has planned to provide Foreign Military Sales (FMS) worth USD 450 million for hardware, software and spares for the F-16 fighter fleet of Pakistan. "Had a warm and productive telephonic conversation with the US Secretary of Defence, Mr. Lloyd Austin. We discussed growing convergence of strategic interests and enhanced defence & security cooperation," Singh said. "We also discussed ways to strengthen technological and industrial collaboration and also explore cooperation in emerging and critical technologies," he said. Singh said he was

F-16 programme important part of bilateral relationship with Pakistan: US

The F-16 programme is an important part of a broader US-Pakistan bilateral relationship and this fleet will allow the country to support counterterrorism operations, the Biden administration has said, defending its decision to provide a USD 450 million worth of military sustenance programme to Pakistan. On September 8, the Biden administration approved a USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan to help it meet current and future counterterrorism threats, in Washington's first major security assistance to Islamabad in four years. We did recently notify Congress of a proposed foreign military sale valued at USD450 million for maintenance and sustainment services for the Pakistani Air Force's F-16 programme, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday. Pakistan is an important partner in a number of regards, an important counterterrorism partner. And as part of our longstanding policy, we provide lifecyc

Greece gets first shipment of upgraded F-16 jets amid tensions with Turkey

Greece's air force on Monday took delivery of a first pair of upgraded F-16 military jets under a $1.5 billion programme to modernise its existing fighter fleet amid increasing tensions with neighbouring Turkey. The two F-16s presented at the Tanagra airbase northwest of Athens are the first of 83 to be refitted with advanced electronics, radar and weapons capabilities by late 2027 by Greece's Hellenic Aerospace Industry, in coordination with U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The head of Greece's joint chiefs of staff, Gen. Constantinos Floros, said the programme's successful and timely completion is an issue of the highest national importance. Any potential aggressor will have to think twice or thrice before trying their luck, once the upgrade is completed, he said at Monday's presentation ceremony, adding that the new planes would increase Greece's footprint within NATO. Relations with historic regional rival Turkey have hit a new low following repeated, thinly-veiled threats fr

US decision to resume F-16 flights regrettable: Japanese Defence Minister

Nobuo Kishi described the US decision to resume flights of F-16 fighter jets before the end of the investigation into fuel tanks drop by US aircraft as highly regrettable.

Amid ongoing tensions with China, US signs deal to sell F-16 jets to Taiwan

The sale announced on Friday was first floated in 2019 and will reportedly be completed by the end of 2026

F-16 fighter jet crashes during Pakistan Day parade rehearsal, pilot dies

Smoke was rising from the crash site and rescue efforts were going on to contain the fire, the statement said

US reprimanded Pak Air Force chief for misusing F-16 fighter jets: Report

The IAF had said that during the aerial engagement on February 27, one of its MiG-21 Bison shot down a F-16.

US ignores Chinese warnings, approves sale of 66 F-16 fighters to Taiwan

Beijing regards Taiwan as a part of China awaiting reunification, but the island is self-ruled and is a close ally of the United States

Irking China, US advances sale of $8-billion F-16 fighters to Taiwan

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control and has repeatedly denounced US arms sales to the island

Airbus, Lockheed Martin rush to tap India's $620 billion defence market

Narendra Modi's local manufacturing plan seen as catalyst in defence

Trump admin asked to push for F-16 sale to India

It is to counter security threats and balance China's growing military power in the Pacific

Will get F-16 jets from elsewhere, Islamabad warns Washington

Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan valued F-16s for their effectiveness, but said that they could be replaced by JF-17 Thunder jets in its anti-terrorism campaign, Dawn reported

Still negotiating F-16 jet deal with US: Pakistan

The purchase hit snags after US Congress withheld 60% of the aid earmarked for subsidising the deal