Tel Aviv: The Israeli Air Force (IAF) together with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have prepared a comprehensive upgrade plan for the force’s Lockheed Martin F-16C/D.
The Israeli plan to upgrade its F-16C fighters centres on installing advanced self-protection suites, including new electronic warfare (EW) systems, infrared missile warning and launch detection, and sophisticated chaff and flare dispensers, with a total investment of approximately $80 million in 2025.
The upgrades also enhance avionics, communication systems, cockpit displays, and provide improved wiring and integration for modern weapons, bringing these older aircraft closer in capability to newer Israeli F-16 variants. The IAF is also operating the F-16I.
According to sources, the programme that will be a government to government (G-G) one will include the installation of advanced threat disruption, infrared missile warning, and launch detection systems for early identification of airborne and ground threats.
Another option is to equip the aircraft with conformal fuel tanks (CFT) that will enable longer range and the carrying of more weapon systems on the aircraft’s wings.
It will also include the deployment of new chaff and flare dispensing systems to counter guided missile threats.
A major part of the programme will include the upgrade of existing avionic systems and the installation of improved cockpit displays.
The open architecture of the new systems will enable the integration of various new weapons and sensors without major future hardware changes.
The sources said that many features of the programme are based on the recent massive use of the F-16 in the war with Iran and the attacks on Houthis targets in Yemen.
In recent operations, the F-16 launched very special types of long-range ballistic missiles. The upgrade will facilitate the use of more versions of this weapon.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
