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 Bahrain received the first of its new production F-16 aircraft in June ceremonies in Fort Worth. The aircraft was the first of ten F-16s purchased under the Peace Crown II program. Col. Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Defence Attache for the Embassy of Bahrain, accepted the first of the F-16s that will establish a new fighter squadron for the Bahrain Amiri Air Force at Sheikh Isa Air Base. The new F-16s will supplement the BAAF’s existing inventory of twelve Block 40s purchased in 1987 and delivered in 1990.
Bahrain has shown amazing proficiency with the F-16, flying 167 combat sorties during Desert Storm only months after the introduction and delivery of the first F-16 to their air force. The BAAF has also proven to have strong influence in the region and has forged excellent relationships with coalition forces, including with USAF.
The new production F-16 aircraft is the same Block 40 configuration as the aircraft from Peace Crown I, with the addition of a color cockpit TV system, APG-68 (V)8 radar, and AIM-120 AMRAAM capability. All of the new aircraft will be single-seat F-16Cs. The Peace Crown II program will complete deliveries at the end of 2000. |
