According to a report by the American War Zone website, the Polish Ministry of Defense has signed a $3.8 billion contract to upgrade the Polish Air Force’s 48 F-16C/D fighter jets to F-16V models. This price tag seems quite hefty, with an average upgrade cost of $80 million per aircraft.
The upgrade work will be carried out by the Polish state-owned Łódź 2 Military Aviation Factory, a company that has had a formal partnership with the F-16 fighter jet manufacturer Lockheed Martin for some time.
In 2024, the U.S. government approved a project to provide upgrade services for F-16V fighter jets to Poland, with a total value of $7.3 billion at the time, double the price announced today. It is very likely that what we see today is just the first part of the upgrade work for Poland.
This upgrade includes installing a new active electronically scanned array radar AN/APG-83, high-definition central displays, upgrading mission computers, equipped with advanced tactical helmets, embedded electronic warfare systems, and sniper targeting pods. The airframe will also undergo modifications to extend its service life to 12,000 hours.
Taiwanese friends are likely familiar with the F-16V fighter jet. The development of the F-16V was triggered by Taiwan’s “Phoenix Rising” project, initially a joint development between the Republic of China and the U.S. Air Force. However, the U.S. Air Force later abandoned the upgrade plan, leading Taiwan to independently invest $3.8 billion in research and development. According to the contract, Taiwan will receive royalties for any country purchasing or upgrading F-16V fighter jets in the future.
The F-16 fighter jet has produced over 4,500 aircraft, making it the most widely used fourth-generation fighter jet in the world. This fighter jet offers good performance, a single engine, and dual functionality for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, making it popular among countries. The vast market for F-16 fighter jets means that the latest version, the F-16V, also has broad upgrade potential.
Taiwan was the first country to purchase and operate the F-16V, establishing an F-16 fighter jet maintenance center by the Taiwanese Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation in August 2020. The first upgraded F-16V fighter jet was completed in 2018 and delivered to the Fourth Tactical Fighter Wing in Chiayi City. All domestically upgraded F-16V fighter jets have been delivered to the Taiwanese Air Force. Additionally, Taiwan has purchased 66 new fighter jets from the U.S., with deliveries in progress, giving the Taiwanese Air Force a fleet of over 200 F-16 fighter jets upon completion of all orders.
So, what are the differences between the F-16V and the F-16? The disparities between the early F-16A/B and the upgraded F-16V are significant. The F-16V meets the standards of a fourth-and-a-half generation fighter jet in terms of radar, avionics, and electronic warfare. It boasts several key features:
Firstly, it features a more powerful engine, allowing the installation of the General Electric F110 engine. This engine provides 18% more thrust than the older models, aiding in shorter takeoff distances by over 50 meters and increasing the climb rate to 260 meters per second, significantly enhancing maneuverability.
Secondly, the F-16V showcases the AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar that can track 20 targets simultaneously. The radar’s detection range is 220% greater than the older F-16 models. Additionally, it includes a modern mission computer, cockpit instrumentation, and a “see-where-you-aim” helmet sighting system. The mission computer features a joint combat command system, allowing for the creation of shared combat images in the air. This not only enables mutual position awareness among F-16s but also displays allied aircraft or enemy positions detected by radar.
Thirdly, the F-16V aircraft features stealthy coatings on its surfaces, reducing its radar cross-section. However, because the airframe itself hasn’t undergone stealth treatment, its stealth capabilities are limited.
Fourthly, its weapons arsenal is strengthened, with the ability to equip new weapon mounts capable of carrying up to sixteen AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles. It can also carry the latest Sidewinder missile, the AIM-9X, whereas the older F-16 models could only carry the AIM-9M. The AIM-9X is an infrared-guided missile that incorporates advanced flight control and thrust vectoring technologies. Its thrust-vector control device consists of four jet vanes, allowing for high turn rates of 60 to 100 degrees per second, enhancing the missile’s agility and enabling it to conduct high-angle maneuvers at low speeds, effectively targeting high-speed aircraft. The latest version of the Sidewinder missile utilizes bidirectional data links, features post-launch lock-on capabilities, and is currently a major fourth-generation short-range air-to-air missile in the world.
Finally, with drop tanks, the F-16V’s loitering capability can be increased by 30%, significantly expanding its combat radius.
In summary, the F-16V meets the standards of a fourth-and-a-half generation fighter jet. The countries currently procuring the F-16V, including Greece, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Morocco, etc., have shown their preference for its modernized features and capabilities.
For example, Bahrain purchased 16 F-16V fighter jets for $2.8 billion in 2017 and is now upgrading its original 20 aircraft to F-16V standards. Bulgaria initially bought 8 brand-new F-16V fighter jets, found them satisfactory, and later procured another 8.
Morocco spent $3.778 billion to purchase 25 F-16 fighter jets and simultaneously allocated $1 billion to upgrade its existing 23 F-16 fighter jets. Slovakia acquired 14 F-16 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin in 2019.
In 2018, Greece placed a large order with the U.S., upgrading and modifying their 84 F-16C/D fighter jets. Two aircraft were upgraded in the U.S., while the remaining 82 will be upgraded in Greece.
In the Asian region, the F-16V is also well-received. South Korea plans to upgrade its 134 KF-16C/D aircraft to F-16V equivalent configurations. It is unclear if South Korea’s upgrade program will entitle Taiwan to royalties.
Recent reports have indicated that Vietnam is leaning towards acquiring F-16 fighter jets over American and Russian options. In the latest report from 2025, Vietnam is expected to purchase at least 24 F-16V fighter jets from the U.S. The Vietnamese Air Force operates under a regiment system, with one fighter jet wing consisting of 24 aircraft. Over the past decade, Vietnam has increasingly acquired Western military equipment, such as signing orders in 2020 and receiving 12 T-6C “Texan II” trainer aircraft from the U.S. in 2024. The T-6C, manufactured by Beechcraft, a well-known brand under Textron Aviation, holds a significant share in the U.S. civil light aircraft market.
The T-6C is Beechcraft’s latest turboprop trainer aircraft primarily used for initial pilot training. Vietnam’s procurement of American trainer aircraft in recent years suggests that Western weaponry will play an increasingly prominent role in the country’s land, sea, and air forces.
Additionally, on April 24, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of 20 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to the Philippines. Years ago, the Philippines purchased South Korea’s FA-50 “Golden Eagle” trainer jet, which can serve as both a trainer and a ground attack aircraft. The FA-50 is based on the U.S. F-16 fighter jet, with many components interchangeable between the two, making the Philippine acquisition of F-16 fighter jets a natural progression.
In conclusion, apart from Taiwan’s procurement and upgrades totaling 207 F-16 fighter jets, Greece has 84, South Korea 134, Bahrain 36, Slovakia 14, Bulgaria 16, Poland 48, along with the potential additions of the Philippines and Vietnam, totaling 44 fighter jets. The global purchase and upgrade of F-16V fighter jets have now reached 583 aircraft. It remains uncertain whether South Korea’s F-16V upgrade program will entitle Taiwan to royalties, but Taiwan’s investment in developing F-16V fighter jets seems promising.
In the international arms market, demand for fifth-generation fighter jets like the F-35 exceeds supply, with global orders surpassing 3,500 aircraft and 1,300 delivered. However, not all countries can purchase the F-35 fighter jet. For those opting for fourth-and-a-half generation fighter jets, the F-16 is the most suitable option for smaller countries due to its affordability and performance. With over a thousand F-16 fighter jets in global fleets, the order quantity for the F-16V fighter jet is expected to increase, allowing Taiwan to continue collecting royalties.
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