Staff Sgt. Roidan Carlson, 2d Combat Camera Squadron aerial combat broadcaster, and Royal Jordanian Air Force Lt. Col. Firas Masadeh, a flying wing commander, taxi in an RJAF F-16 Fighting Falcon before an aerial photography mission May 13, 2014, at an air base in northern Jordan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Sara Greco/Released)
The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) has signed a multibillion-dollar deal to buy 12 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from the United States.
According to an official statement by the Jordanian military, the deal was signed on January 19 by RJAF Commander Brigadier General Pilot Muhammad Fathi Hiasat and U.S. Deputy Chief of mission in Amman Rohit Nepal.
“This agreement is part of efforts to boost the defence capabilities of the kingdom and increase the level of combat readiness and joint operations with the US,” the statement reads.
“It also aims to strengthen the framework of co-operation between the two countries, support joint efforts to combat terrorism and promote stability in the region.”
Last year, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of 12 F-16 C/D Block 70 fighter jets with an estimated cost of $4.21 billion. The deal also included radios, targeting pods and associated munitions components like guided missile tail kits.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-Nato ally,” the State Department’s Defence Security Co-operation Agency said at the time.
The Block 70 is the latest version of the F-16. It features an advanced active electronically scanned array radar, a new mission computer and electronic warfare suite, automated ground collision avoidance system, and various cockpit improvements.
The new fighter jets will be a major boost for the capabilities of the RJAF, which currently operates around 44 F-16s of older versions.
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