Dutch F-16B
(click to view full)

In April 2006, DID Benelux reader David Vandenberghe lets us know that the Gazet van Antwerpen is reporting that Jordan is acquiring surplus F-16 A/B fighters which underwent the MLU (mid-life upgrade). DID noted in November 2005 that Jordan had already acquired 3 two-seater F-16Bs from the Netherlands for training purposes. To date, Jordan has received a total of 35 F-16s from the US and Dutch governments (16+17+3).

The Netherlands MvD and Belgian Ministries of Defence have confirmed the sale, signing a declaration of intent (in Amman) to sell 20 surplus F-16’s MLU: 5 single seat F-16AM and 3 dual seat F-16BM’s from the Dutch inventory (108 aircraft remaining operational), and 12 Belgian AF F-16 MLU’s (specific types not designated).

FEB 2007 UPDATE: Belgium’s VTM TV station is reporting the sale of 14 Belgian Air Force F-16s to Jordan for EUR 70 million (currently about $90 million). The Chief of Defense’s recent interview with Trends economics magazine confirmed this price tag. All of the Pratt & Whitney F100 engines will be reset to 0 flight hours condition for the sale, and some Jordanian pilots will also receive training on the F-16s in Belgium. Belgium will also withdraw an additional 12 F-16’s from service before 2015. Unlike their neighbors, the Belgians have upgrades but no fighter replacement contract on the horizon.

MAY 2007 UPDATE: The Dutch announce that they have completed the sale of 6 of their F-16B fighters, which had been upgraded to common European MLU status.