2023/05/24
The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release in response to media reports that "F-16 BLK 70 fighter jets newly purchased by our country will be delayed due to "technical obstacles", but Bahrain has already obtained its first F-16 BLK 70 ahead of us"
Press release of Ministry of National Defense
Time: May 24, 2023 at 23:15
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today in response to media reports that the "delivery of newly purchased F-16 BLK 70 fighters will be delayed due to "technical obstacles", but Bahrain has already obtained its first F-16 BLK 70 ahead of us" the following:
1. As for the two F-16 BLK 70 fighters shipped at the beginning of the year, they are prototype test airplanes, and their main purpose is to design and develop flight control software. One of such items was also ordered by Bahrain.
2. Regarding th eF-16 BLK 70 fighter our country ordered, they were previously scheduled to be shipped in the third quarter of 2024, but have been delayed due to the aforementioned research and development software. As such, the US Department of Defense has established a high-level project supervisor to ensure that Lockheed Martin performs according to contract as scheduled in 2026.