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≈$5.21B Air Force DELIVERY ORDER FA861520F0001

Latest-generation F-16 Block 70/72 fighter production for Taiwan/Morocco: ~$5.21B — an FMS award to Lockheed Martin (USAspending)

Department of the Air Force ・2020-08-14 〜 2029-12-31

Per USAspending, the U.S. Air Force awarded production of the latest-generation "F-16 Block 70/72" fighter for Taiwan and Morocco to Lockheed Martin (a delivery order). The value is about $5.21 billion ($5,212,953,429), running August 2020–December 2029. It is an example of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) supplying the latest generation of the long-produced, storied F-16 to allied and partner nations.

Contract key facts

  • RecipientLockheed Martin
  • Contract value$5,214,634,803 (≈$5.21B)
  • BranchAir Force
  • Awarding agencyDepartment of Defense
  • Awarding sub-agencyDepartment of the Air Force
  • Award typeDELIVERY ORDER
  • Period of performance2020-08-14 〜 2029-12-31
  • Contract ID (PIID)FA861520F0001

The amount cited in the write-up ($5,212,953,429) is the figure at the time of writing. After later modifications the record now shows $5,214,634,803 (the details above are current).

Contract scope (original)

TAIWAN/MOROCCO F-16 PRODUCTION BLOCK 70/72

Key points

  • The Air Force awarded Taiwan/Morocco F-16 Block 70/72 production to Lockheed Martin. Cumulative ~$5.21B ($5,212,953,429).
  • Delivery order, performance August 14, 2020 – December 31, 2029.
  • Block 70/72 is the latest F-16 generation (renewed AESA radar, etc.).
  • Foreign Military Sales (FMS) — the U.S. procures and supplies equipment on behalf of allies/partners.
  • Fighter supply to Taiwan bears directly on regional security — reflecting U.S. engagement abroad.
  • Under FMS the purchaser bears the cost and sets the specification, so it appears in US spending data while differing from pure defence expenditure.

1The long-lived F-16

The F-16 has been a staple fighter used around the world since its debut in the 1970s, improved over successive generations. Its latest generation, "Block 70/72," carries a high-performance radar (AESA) and renewed avionics, meeting both replacement demand for older aircraft and new-acquisition demand. This contract supplies that latest F-16 to Taiwan and Morocco.

2Supplied through Foreign Military Sales

Worth noting is that this is under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework. In FMS, the U.S. government concludes procurement contracts on behalf of allied and partner nations and supplies the equipment — a place where U.S. diplomacy and security policy meet defense-industry exports.

Fighter supply to Taiwan in particular is a topic bearing directly on regional security, and the very appearance of such contracts in the spending data reflects the shape of U.S. engagement abroad.

3What the public record covers

The description (USAspending) goes as far as "Taiwan/Morocco F-16 Block 70/72 production" and does not detail the airframe-count breakdown or delivery schedule (this site does not fill in what the description omits). A cumulative ~$5.21B shows that the latest version of the storied F-16 remains an active export product to this day.

4Procuring for oneself, and procuring for another

The same office awarding to the same company still produces contracts of different character depending on who the purchase is for. This one falls under Foreign Military Sales, whose premises differ from procurement of equipment the US military will use.

Procurement for US forcesFMS (Foreign Military Sales)
Cost comes from the US budgetCost is borne by the purchasing country
Specification follows US requirementsSpecification is matched to the purchaser's requirements
Spending data is defence expenditure as suchIt appears in spending data while differing in character from pure defence expenditure
The purpose is holding one's own capabilityForeign policy, security policy and defence exports meet

The F-16 has been used worldwide since the 1970s through successive improvement, and Block 70/72 is its latest generation, carrying a high-performance radar and renewed avionics for both replacement and new introduction. Supply of fighters to Taiwan in particular bears directly on regional security, and that such contracts appear in spending data at all reflects the shape of US engagement abroad.

Why it matters

An FMS contract supplying the latest F-16 Block 70/72 to Taiwan and Morocco — a typical case where U.S. defense exports meet diplomacy and security. Fighter supply to Taiwan in particular bears directly on regional security. The very appearance of such foreign supply in spending data reflects the shape of U.S. engagement abroad. Useful to readers tracking defense-industry exports and international politics.

FAQ

What data is this?
A single Department of Defense (DoD) federal procurement contract recorded in "USAspending," the U.S. open government-spending dataset. The recipient, awarding component, value, and scope are public. This site is not an official U.S. government website.
Is the amount final?
It is a cumulative figure as of collection. Large defense contracts accumulate modifications over many years, so amounts change. The latest figure is available at the source, USAspending.
What is Foreign Military Sales (FMS)?
A mechanism (FMS) by which the U.S. government concludes procurement contracts on behalf of allied and partner nations and supplies the equipment. It supports the recipient's defense buildup while also being where U.S. diplomacy and security policy meet defense exports.

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Sources (primary)

This article is an independent organization based on the U.S. official spending data below. Verify the exact, latest details with the official source.

#Defense#Department of Defense#Air Force#Fighter#F-16#FMS#Taiwan#Lockheed Martin

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