Turkey to buy $2.9 bln worth of F-16 Fighting Falcons

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement that Jordan was also considering buying around $500 million worth of Black Hawk helicopters and surveillance systems.

Turkey wants to buy 30 F-16 airplanes and related equipment from BAE System PLC, Lockheed Martin, L-3 Communications and other companies, the agency said in a statement.

The Pentagon must notify Congress of possible foreign military sales.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics in the United States. Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multi-role aircraft. In 1993 General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, now part of Lockheed Martin.

The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it was a success on the export market, serving 24 countries.The F-16 is the largest and probably most significant current Western fighter program, with over 4,000 aircraft built since production started in 1976. Though no longer produced for the United States Air Force, it is still produced for export.

The Fighting Falcon is regarded as a superb dogfighter, with innovations such as the bubble canopy, side-mounted control stick, and reclined seat. It was also the first US fighter aircraft to match the English Electric Lightning's ability to execute 9 g turns. Although the F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", it is known to its pilots as the "Viper." Reuters