F-16 of the last modification was more expensive than the latest F-35 fighters: why did it happen

< img src = "/uploads/blogs/9b/5b/ib-freevkcnv_237c6fc9.jpg" Alt = "F-16 of the last modification was more expensive than the latest f-35 fighter jets: why it happened"/~ 62 < P > It has traditionally been thought that new generations of fighters are inevitably more expensive than their predecessors. However, the reality of the modern combat aircraft market is demonstrated by the return & mdash; The cost of the fifth generation F-35 is lower than the price of the F-16 last modifications. This is confirmed < p > In its material Defense Express & Nbsp; Nbsp; Nbsp; Nbsp; that Philippines received permission to purchase F-16 Block 70/72 at a price of up to $ 279 million per 225 unit.

< p >Even more indicative is the Czech Republic a contract for $ 208.3 million for one F-35. For comparison, the latter is confirmed by the F-16 & mdash; This is Bulgaria's contract in 2020 for $ 162.5 million per plane. However, the new orders for the F-16 did not arrive, and weapons prices in recent years have increased significantly.

< P > Analysts claim that the main reason for the decrease in the cost of F-35 & mdash; Their large -scale mass production. Lockheed Martin plans to release more than 2.5 thousand of these aircraft, including more than 800 for exports and over 1700 for the US. In 2025, production of 190 cars per year is expected, and the delivery queue has already extended by 2034-2037.

< p > for comparison, the F-16 fighter, also produced by Lockheed Martin, has confirmed orders on 130 aircraft, and taking into account potential contracts & mdash; up to 300 units. The rate of production for 2025 will be 48 aircraft a year, and the supply queue now reaches 2028.

< p > Another important factor & mdash; US policy on F-35 export. Washington granted the right to purchase this fighter by a limited number of countries. For example, the UAE in 2020 received permission to buy 50 F-35 units, but in 2021 the Biden administration blocked the agreement. Among the possible reasons were Abu Dhabi's connections with China and the position of Israel, which does not want to change the military balance in the region. As a result of the UAE purchased 80 French Rafale F4.