rsaf f-16

Lockheed Martin is reportedly close to signing a contract with Singapore for upgrade of its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fleet.

Lockheed Martin F-22/F-16 integrated fighter group head Rod McLean was quoted by Defense News as saying: "We should probably announce something by certainly the end of the year, if not earlier, on an upgrade opportunity there.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

"Our other customer doesn’t care to have their name mentioned a lot in media. It’s in Southeast Asia, I’ll say that."

A source familiar with the negotiations said the agreement to modernise Singapore’s F-16 fleet was ‘basically a done deal.’

The F-16V upgrade package features an active electronically scanned array radar, upgraded mission computer, as well as enhancements to the mission computer, vehicle systems, aircraft structure, cockpit, and electronic warfare system.

"Lockheed is already competing to modernise South Korea’s F-16s, after the country cancelled a $1.7bn upgrade agreement with BAE Systems in late 2014."

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) operates 60 F-16C/D block 52 aircraft, which were upgraded with Israeli-built electronic warfare systems.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

According to the publication, the presence of Israeli systems raised a doubt whether the company would be able to upgrade the RSAF F-16s as that would require modifications to the systems.

But, the source claimed that the company has ‘found a solution to the problem,’ and that does not pose a hurdle to the discussions.

Lockheed is already competing to modernise South Korea’s F-16s, after the country cancelled a $1.7bn upgrade agreement with BAE Systems in late 2014.

McLean said: "We’re in discussions to finalise that programme. Those discussions are ongoing.

"There have been positives to date. I think we can certainly support their needs.

"I know they are having some budget reviews internally in the Korean Air Force. If they can preserve the funds we feel we should be able to support an upgrade programne for them."

Apart from Singapore and South Korea, the company is also believed to be working to modernise the F-16 fleets of Thailand and Indonesia.

Image: A Republic of Singapore Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Luhai Wong.