The government of Thailand has signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) for 16 F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft in the Air Defense Fighter configuration. The aircraft are inventory United States Air Force F-16s powered by Pratt and Whitney F-100-PW-220E engines.

The additional F-16s will supplement the 36 F-16A/B aircraft Thailand currently operates. Thailand will use the aircraft to maintain a continuous air defense capability and modernize their current fleet.

"Lockheed Martin is pleased that the F-16 could provide a solution for Thailand that will meet its air defense requirement. This decision demonstrates the confidence the Royal Thailand Air Force has in the F-16," said Don Jones, vice president of F-16 programs at Lockheed Martin. "In addition, by selecting the F-16, Thailand is assured of continued interoperability with the USAF. This agreement helps build on the important partnership that Lockheed Martin and the USAF have developed with the government of Thailand and the Royal Thailand Air Force."

Aircraft deliveries will begin in 1st quarter 2002.

The F-16, the world's most sought-after fighter, is the choice of 20 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft have been delivered; hundreds more will be delivered to Bahrain, Egypt, the United States, Israel, Greece and the United Arab Emirates; and production is expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades for all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.

The F-16 is playing a major role as the durable and versatile "workhorse" in allied peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and Iraq.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F-22, C-130, F-117, U-2, X-33 and Joint Strike Fighter, among other renowned aircraft. LM Aeronautics is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed Martin is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics and technology services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company