The United States has approved a potential $445-million sustainment package to support Bahrain’s fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons, reinforcing the strategic defense partnership between the two countries. The proposed FMS deal—featuring General Electric and Lockheed Martin as primary contractors—includes aircraft components, missile containers, radar receiver parts, guidance section spares, weapons system maintenance, ground-handling tools, and various laboratory and diagnostic equipment. These upgrades supplement a previous $47-million support agreement that did not require congressional notification.
The earlier package focused on platform modifications, software support, maintenance tools, launcher spares, and logistics services. According to the DSCA, the enhanced sustainment effort will boost Bahrain’s defensive resilience, improve mission readiness, and strengthen the Gulf nation’s ability to participate in coalition operations alongside the US and regional security partners.
Bahrain has been an early adopter of the F-16 platform, becoming the first Gulf operator of the F-16C/D Block 40 in the 1990s. The kingdom later became the first customer for the F-16 Block 70 Viper, securing a $3.8-billion deal in 2017. Lockheed Martin was subsequently awarded a $1.1-billion production contract in 2018, completing the first Bahraini Viper in March 2023 after pandemic-related delays pushed delivery schedules.
The Royal Bahraini Air Force currently fields around 20 F-16s, including five newly built Block 70 jets, with additional aircraft scheduled for delivery. These acquisitions reflect Bahrain’s long-term commitment to modernizing its fighter fleet and maintaining advanced airpower capabilities within the Gulf region.
