After 28 years and 308 units F-16 production comes to end

[ekrem]

Last F-16 jet delivered to Turkish Air Forces
The last of the F-16 fighter jets produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Lockheed Martin as part of the Peace Onyx IV Program was delivered to the Turkish Air Force with a ceremony yesterday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Özcan Ertem, TAI’s Aircraft Group president, said the F-16 was a very important and special product, and that the program was successfully completed ahead of the deadline with the delivery of the 308th jet.
Jeff Babione, vice president of the F-16/F-22 Integrated Fighter Group, told the audience at the same ceremony that the program was a result of the devotion, dedication and hard work of TAI employees.

“I thank everyone who worked on the project, in the hope that our strong cooperation with TAI that started in 1984 will continue,” he said. Serdar Demirel, deputy undersecretary at Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), thanked U.S. and Turkish officials, as well as Lockheed Martin and TAI employees, who contributed to the F-16 project. TAI and Lockheed Martin launched the F-16 program in 1984 and TAI produced 308 fighter jets in the program.

ECONOMICS - Last F-16 jet delivered to Turkish Air Forces

Pics from delivery ceremony of last produced F-16

 

[Mr. H.]

By far, my favorite aircraft evah.

 

[uscitizen]

Took em 28 years to make 308 planes?

 

[ekrem]

Next in line is F-35.
As of now F-35 will be produced solely in USA.

First 2 for Turkey will be delivered as part of 7th Initial Production contract probably around 2015/16.
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=fe475b800b6c66b6d9ddcd5ef95d977a

Full Rate Production will begin in 2015.
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II - Scramble

 

[Mr. H.]

There was a series of pretty good F-16 flight sims for PC. Had a lot of fun with those.
Evil stepson was given a ride after he was named Guardsman o' the year in his state.

 

[ekrem]

Turkey to replace F-16s with local jets
Turkish arms manufacturer TAI has signed a technical assistance deal with Swedish Saab on technical assistance to build a fighter jet that will replace the F-16s.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - Turkey to replace F-16s with local jets

We'll see a Swedish-Turkish co-jet, and it will be beginning to replace F-16s by 2023.

 

[waltky]

The F-16 is not being discontinued...

... only the sale of them to Turkey is being halted...

... with a fleet of 308 F-16's in the Turkish arsenal...

... they should be able to take on all comers in the region.

 

[Politico]

One of the greatest aircraft ever.

 

[Meathead]

The F-16 is not being discontinued...

... only the sale of them to Turkey is being halted...

... with a fleet of 308 F-16's in the Turkish arsenal...

... they should be able to take on all comers in the region.

You forget Russia.