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Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

Bahrain’s F-16 Block 70 Scores First Air-To-Air Kill, Shooting Down Two Iranian Drones

The Royal Bahraini Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70 has achieved its first combat success, intercepting and shooting down two Iranian drones during earlier Middle East conflict activity. Bahrain says the drones penetrated initial air-defense layers before being defeated by the new Block 70 capability.

2026-04-09T10:22:25.391225-07:00

FlightGlobal

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

Reuters

Russia launches ~155 drones (≈100 Shaheds); Ukraine reports 136 shot down as F‑16s faced weeks‑long missile shortages

2026-03-04T22:26:51.840671-08:00

Reuters

U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment

2026-02-23T01:41:28.824896-08:00

News Timeline

Aviation Week

Bahrain’s F-16 Block 70 Scores First Air-To-Air Kill, Shooting Down Two Iranian Drones The Royal Bahraini Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70 has achieved its first combat success, intercepting and shooting down two Iranian drones during earlier Middle East conflict activity. Bahrain says the drones penetrated initial air-defense layers before being defeated by the new Block 70 capability.

2026-04-09T10:22:25.391225-07:00

Bahrain’s F-16 Block 70 Scores First Air-To-Air Kill, Shooting Down Two Iranian Drones

Air Data News

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president's remarks spark confusion Peru’s government said it has not yet selected a new fighter jet, reversing comments made by President José that had suggested a decision. The clarification walks back earlier public statements and leaves the procurement process for replacing legacy fighters unresolved.

2026-03-22T03:20:34.661805-07:00

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president's remarks spark confusion

FlightGlobal

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US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE The US State Department approved $16.5 billion in emergency arms sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, with the UAE receiving the largest share. Packages cover ballistic missile‑defence radars, a $1.86 billion F‑16 weapons package, potential AIM‑120 AMRAAMs, counter‑drone systems and spare parts.

2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

DefenseNews.com

Morocco cleared for massive F-16 fighter buy Morocco has been cleared to purchase a major package of U.S.-made F-16 fighters and associated defence equipment, marking a significant planned increase in Rabat’s spending on American military hardware. The approval signals deeper U.S.-Morocco military ties and a sizable potential Foreign Military Sale.

2026-03-18T12:44:26.273179-07:00

Morocco cleared for massive F-16 fighter buy

Reuters

Greece approves €4–4.6bn defence package including Achilles Shield, 38 F‑16 Viper upgrades and frigate refits Greece's parliamentary armament committee approved a roughly €4–4.6 billion defence package that green‑lights purchase of an Israeli Achilles Shield air‑defence/drone‑counter system, funds frigate refits and supports the upgrade of 38 F‑16s to the modern Viper standard, plus C‑27 fleet FOS.

2026-03-16T09:00:47.534622-07:00

Greece approves €4–4.6bn defence package including Achilles Shield, 38 F‑16 Viper upgrades and frigate refits

politico.eu

Turkey considers deploying F-16s to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after drone attack Ankara is evaluating deploying F-16 fighter jets to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to bolster security after a recent drone attack on the island. The move, reported by TRT Haber and Turkish defence sources, has heightened regional tensions and drawn international attention and offers of assistance.

2026-03-07T07:37:58.044813-08:00

Turkey considers deploying F-16s to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after drone attack

Reuters

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Russia launches ~155 drones (≈100 Shaheds); Ukraine reports 136 shot down as F‑16s faced weeks‑long missile shortages Russian forces launched roughly 155 drones overnight — about 100 Shahed loitering munitions — Kyiv says, with 136 intercepted and at least seven killed and 25 injured. The strikes came as Ukrainian F‑16s endured a multi‑week shortage of US‑made intercept missiles and allied jet transfers remained delayed.

2026-03-04T22:26:51.840671-08:00

Russia launches ~155 drones (≈100 Shaheds); Ukraine reports 136 shot down as F‑16s faced weeks‑long missile shortages

Air Data News

IDF fields RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles on F‑16I Sufas ahead of strikes on Iran The Israel Defense Forces released images of Israeli Air Force F‑16I Sufa fighters fitted with RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles ahead of large‑scale strikes on Iran. The photos confirm operational carriage of the new stand‑off munition on frontline combat jets and underscore changes to Israel's strike posture.

2026-03-01T04:46:18.153891-08:00

IDF fields RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles on F‑16I Sufas ahead of strikes on Iran

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F-16 News

Bahrain’s F-16 Block 70 Scores First Air-To-Air Kill, Shooting Down Two Iranian Drones

US approves $16.5B emergency arms package for UAE, Kuwait and Jordan; majority to UAE

Russia launches ~155 drones (≈100 Shaheds); Ukraine reports 136 shot down as F‑16s faced weeks‑long missile shortages

U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment

News Timeline