Greece Elevates Air Security with Enhanced F-16 Fleet Upgrade
Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), has recently finalized the enhancement of the 20th F-16 combat aircraft to the cutting-edge “Viper” setup for the Hellenic Air Force (HAF). This pivotal enhancement fortifies Greece’s defense prowess, equipping the HAF with the most advanced F-16 fleet across Europe.
The F-16V enhancements are being executed at HAI’s Tanagra facilities under a $1.5 billion initiative sanctioned by the U.S. government in October 2017. The initial upgraded aircraft was delivered in 2009 as an F-16C Block 52+, utilizing a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine, part of the Peace Xenia IV foreign military sale initiative. Greece is upgrading 84 out of its total 90 Block 52/52+ F-16s. The remaining 80 Block 30/50 jets with General Electric F110 engines are excluded from this initiative.
The enhanced aircraft are identified as F-16V Block 72 configuration, with the “2” signifying the Pratt & Whitney engine. A notable aspect is the incorporation of the Northrop Grumman APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) featuring an active electronically scanned array (AESA) to boost detection and tracking functions.
The pilot’s cockpit undergoes a substantial upgrade with a new center pedestal display and compatibility with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II. Additional enhancements comprise a more potent mission computer, an automatic ground collision avoidance mechanism, an advanced electronic warfare suite, and Link 16 datalink for secure communications, alongside a contemporary friend-or-foe identification system.
“Lockheed Martin takes pride in partnering with HAI to provide these cutting-edge F-16V fighters to the Hellenic Air Force,” stated OJ Sanchez, Vice President of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group. “This upgrade strengthens Greece’s NATO capabilities and equips them with Europe’s most innovative and cost-efficient F-16 fleet.”
