Lockheed Martin, collaborating with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), on July 3, declared the completion of the upgrade to the "Viper" configuration for the 20th F-16 aircraft delivered to the Hellenic Air Force (HAF).
This step enhances Greece's defense capabilities significantly, equipping the HAF with the most advanced F-16 fleet across Europe.
The upgrade of the F-16 Viper took place at HAI's Tanagra facilities, following a program approved by the U.S. government in October 2017, valued at approximately $1.5 billion.
The first aircraft, originally delivered in 2009 as an F-16C Block 52+ equipped with a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine, was part of the Peace Xenia IV sale.
Greece acquired a total of 90 Block 52/52+ aircraft, with ongoing upgrades to the remaining units. However, the 80 Block 30/50 aircraft powered by the General Electric F110 engine are not included in the F-16V program.
Following modernization, the aircraft is now designated as an F-16V in Block 72 configuration, with the "2" denoting its Pratt & Whitney engine.
A pivotal aspect of this upgrade is the integration of the Northrop Grumman APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), featuring an active electronically scanned array (AESA).
The cockpit has been updated with a new center pedestal display and is compatible with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II. Additional enhancements include a new mission computer, an automatic ground collision avoidance system, improved electronic warfare capabilities, a Link 16 datalink, and an advanced friend or foe identification system.
OJ Sanchez, Vice President of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, expressed pride in Lockheed Martin's collaboration with HAI "to advance the F-16s to the Viper configuration for the Hellenic Air Force," emphasizing that this upgrade "bolsters Greece’s NATO capabilities."
With these advancements, the HAF will possess "Europe’s most sophisticated and cost-effective F-16 fleet."
A total of 84 F-16 fighters are slated to undergo Viper configuration upgrades by 2027.
