Lockheed Martin “bullish” on future of its F-16 programme

Lockheed Martin remains optimistic about the future of its F-16 programme, as demand for the 4^th-generation fighter continues, with between 23 to 26 deliveries forecast for 2025 and a “ramp up” in production considered by the company in the future.

With more than 3,100 jets deployed across 28 air forces, demand remains strong for Lockheed Martin’s fighter with its latest variant. According to the latest statistics from the company, Lockheed has 117 Block 70 F-16 aircraft in its production backlog and has delivered 23 jets to international partners to date.

Currently, there are six countries under contract for the latest Block aircraft, totalling 140 orders, from Bahrain, Bulgaria, Jordan, Slovakia, Taiwan, and one undisclosed customer. Turkey has also secured a deal to procure the F-16 Block 70, with an initial payment reportedly made.

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Commenting on the aircraft’s market potential, Mike Shoemaker, VP and general manager – integrated fighter group at Lockheed Martin, told Shephard: “We [Lockheed] see potential for around 300 or so more F-16s [Block 70].”

The company has increased deliveries from five in 2023, to 16 aircraft in 2024, with two so far this year being delivered, according to Shoemaker. Recent delivery rollouts for the F-16 Block 70 in 2025 occurred with the delivery of an aircraft to Bulgaria at the end of January.

For Bahrain, Shoemaker also noted that 13 of the 16 aircraft have now been ferried to the country. The first was formally delivered in March 2023 with the most recent delivery carried out in July 2024. All 16 aircraft have previously been forecast to be in the country by 2025.

In 2025, Lockheed remains optimistic it can meet, if not exceed, the same numbers as 2024. On its Block 70/72 fighter jet delivery target, Shoemaker confirmed that the company is aiming for “somewhere up in the 23 to 26” range for deliveries in 2025.

“I’m very bullish on the programme [and] of its bright future,” Shoemaker said. “We’re committed, from a Lockheed perspective, to be a life cycle partner with all of these customers coming on. And for them, it’s an opportunity to really join a growing, already mature ecosystem, from both the operations perspective, but also the sustainment in country.”

Greenville site efficiency upgrades and investments continue

Lockheed has seen a rapid increase in F-16 production at its Greenville facility following its resumption of production in 2023.

Originally having relocated in 2018, the site now boasts16 hangars and spans nearly 1.2 million sq ft of space, with Lockheed continuing to invest – recently adding a new warehouse, additional run shelters and production space.

Ongoing efficiency increases and investments are reportedly ongoing on its production line to meet increased international demand for the product. 

“It’s been a very steep learning curve,” Shoemaker said, noting the rapid increase in F-16 production rates. “We've got to kind of relearn a little bit of the how the assembly happens. That learning will continue to accelerate.

“I think we’ll ideally look to ramp up, you know, into the 30s, maybe even above that,” he added, noting that Lockheed and its engineers were continually “tracking” the forecast assessments.

Upgrading the F-16 for air forces’ fleets

While prolific in air forces’ fleets across the world, as a 4^th-generation aircraft, the need to improve the F-16 aircraft’s capabilities are being addressed via upgrades carried out on the Block 70 and various older Block variants.

According to Lockheed Martin and Shoemaker, more than 700 F-16s are currently under contract that have or will be upgraded to keep the fighter jet relevant to air forces’ fleets.

That includes “40+ new enhanced upgraded systems, and over 30 new software builds with varying capabilities being deployed worldwide”, Shoemaker said.

Notable examples of the F-16V upgrade contracts include Singapore, Poland and Greece with the Hellenic Air Force, the latter of which Shoemaker pointed to as notable example of Lockheed’s ongoing upgrade work with customers.

In January the company delivered its 30^thupgraded F-16 Viper to Greece, a milestone in the country’s US$997 million ongoing programme to upgrade its Block 50/52 aircraft. Work is reportedly scheduled to complete by June 2027.

According to Shephard Defence Insight, the total forecast value for the programme – including contracted F-16 Block 70 aircraft and the ongoing F-16V upgrades implemented on older Block F-16 aircraft – stands at around $25 billion.

The total F-16 Block 70/72 programme value by region. ✅ This data has been verified by the same team that brings you Defence Insight. Want to learn more?

Related Equipment in Defence Insight

F-16V Block 70/72