September 14, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) publicly confirmed last week during an open house celebration at the at Paya Lebar Air Base that its upgraded F-16 C/D/D+ fighter aircraft are armed with the Python 5 air-to-air missile.
In 2018, Singapore purchased a number of SPYDER surface-to-air missile platforms developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). As such, Singapore has likely had the Python-5 missile since then.

The Python-5 is currently the most capable air-to-air missile (AAM) in Israel's inventory and one of the most advanced AAMs in the world, even though it has a relatively short radius of 20 kilometers. The Python-5 was introduced in 2003 and as a beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile, it has "lock-on after launch" (LOAL) capabilities, and has all-aspect/all-direction (including rearward) attack ability. The missile features an advanced electro-optical infrared homing (with imaging infrared) seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase.

Three years after its introduction, the Israeli Python 5 air-to-air missile got its first combat kill when an Israeli F-16 downed a Hizbollah UAV.

The Python-5 missiles were incorporated into the RSAF's fleet of upgraded F-16 C/D/D+ fighters as part of the aircraft's mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme meant to extend their service lives into the 2030s. A commemorative unit patch for the Singaporean F-16 upgrade program had shown a Python missile, hinting at its eventual integration with the jet. The U.S. Air Force’s 416th Flight Test Squadron, based at Edwards Air Force Base in California, issued the patch.

Singapore’s F-16 pilots also use the Display and Sight Helmet system, made by Israeli firm Elbit Systems, that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at a targe

The unveiling came ahead of a major open house celebration, at the air base, this weekend to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of the RSAF, which was established following the model of the Israeli Occupation Forces.

Between 1998 and 2004, Singapore bought 62 F-16C/Ds, from the block 52 cohort, in multiple batches. Notably, the model bought by Singapore is the same model that the IOF used to custom-design the F-16 Soufa, which made the possibility of integrating the Python-5 missile possible.

Singapore is eventually set to replace its F-16s with stealthy F-35B Joint Strike Fighters capable of landing and takeoff in a vertical position or on a runway.

The arms race in Asia continues as the US military complex and government continue to fund it across multiple Asian countries.

Earlier in August, the US Department of State granted approval for a potential sale of infrared search and track systems for F-16s, along with other equipment, to Taiwan. This move, with a maximum potential value of $500 million, has been confirmed by the Pentagon.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corp, which was awarded, on September 1st, an $18 million government contract to service Taiwan's F16s.

The work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and in Taiwan; it is expected to be completed by August 30, 2030.

September 7, 2023 (by Asif Shamim) - The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Slovak Republic was unveiled at Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, during a visit from the country's Minister of Defence, Martin Sklenár.
The Slovak Republic will be the first European country to receive this newest and most capable version of the Fighting Falcon. The F-16 Block 70 aircraft will deliver decades of 21st Century Security capabilities in support of the Slovak Republic's national security.

"These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay ahead of threats in the region, and be part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO, and around the world," said OJ Sanchez, vice president, of Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. "This jet represents the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin, the United States, the Slovak Republic, and allies."

This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 14 to be delivered to the Slovak Republic.

August 23, 2023 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Ukrainian pilots have begun training on the F-16, a piece of military hardware they deem essential to counter Russian air superiority. A number of Ukrainian engineers and technicians are also undergoing training, in addition to the eight pilots.
It is unclear when the last day of training will be but the instructors will announce the completion of training when they were satisfied the pilots, engineers and technicians had mastered their new skills. There seems to be a minimal term of six months though.

Trainees will also get English-language training in technical terminology, as the basic level of English language is not good enough.

The F-16 training program is being supported by a coalition of 11 NATO countries and required official US approval because the jets are American technology. The US recently committed to approve the transfer of F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine as soon as training is complete.

Denmark and the Netherlands have taken the lead in preparing a program to train Ukrainian pilots on the American jet, but the US is still working with other countries to see who may provide F-16s to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Last Friday, the US approved the transfer of F-16 instructional materials from Denmark to Ukraine. The transfer allows the Danish defense ministry to move forward with their effort to stand up pilot and maintenance training programs. The approval includes training modules, documentation and classroom training materials, the official said, which contains information about sensitive US technology.

Officials from a coalition of 11 nations have said training will take place in Denmark and Romania.

Over 73 Ukrainian military personnel arrived at the Danish military air base in Skrydstrup for training, among which eight pilots. Ukraine expects several dozens of pilots to be trained.

Romania is the most recent country within NATO to get its hands on F-16s. The Romanian Air Force has been notably resourceful in growing its F-16 fleet, starting with a batch of 12 second-hand jets from Portuguese stocks, followed by another five from the same source, and finally agreeing to buy 32 from Norway, which has retired all its Vipers. These last 32 jets will be delivered once they have been refurbished in Norway.

Greece also offered to train Ukrainian pilots with the Hellenic Air Force 120 Air Training Wing at Kalamata Air Base.

The Greek Air Force consists mostly of F-16 jets and Greek pilots are considered extremely experienced in the use of the US-built warplanes.

Hardware
The Netherlands and Denmark will supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine with first deliveries due around New Year. Both countries have F-16s available to donate as their armed forces are transitioning to newer F-35 fighters.

Denmark will deliver 19 jets in total, with the first six due to be shipped to Ukraine around New Year, followed by eight in 2024 and five the following year.

The Netherlands has 42 F-16s available in all but has yet to decide whether all of them will be donated.

The Netherlands and Denmark have led a months-long push to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16's and to ultimately deliver the jets to help counter the air superiority of Russia, whose forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022.