men the problem is that you’re referring to the F-16 POBIT (Block 70), the POBIT is a Block 52 fitted with Block 70 avionics it isn’t a Block 70.
and Britain needs that that for top of line as bn and c2e with the old gun is not going to be enough to punch through the new leopards
1 Like
It’s not even the block 50… it’s a block 52.
Ok , thanks for correction
Since Israel is getting the F-15IA, I feel like Japan should get their F-15J JSI
Italy should also get the KF51 asap
Upgrading an F-16A/B to the Block 70/72 avionics standard doesn’t make it a Block 70/72
The original airframe and production configuration are still different. If you say it has been upgraded with Block 70/72-level avionics, then I agree. But calling the entire aircraft a Block 72 is simply incorrect
The PoBIT program actually covers the integration and modernization of Block 40/42/50/52 F-16C/Ds
So why aren’t they called Block 70 or even Block 72? Because those are different production configurations, not just avionics upgrade standards
In terms of avionics and modernization standards, YES, it can be comparable.
But if you’re referring to Taiwan’s upgraded F-16V, those aircraft still use the original F-16A/B Block 20 airframes.
That’s why you have to distinguish between an upgraded Block 20 and a newly built Block 70/72. They may share a lot of the same avionics and capabilities, but that doesn’t make their original production configurations identical
Let’s take Greece’s F-16C Block 52+ as an example.
Greece upgraded 84 of its existing F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft to the F-16V Viper configuration, bringing them to the Block 72 modernization standard.
However, these aircraft weren’t newly manufactured as Block 72s. They were originally produced as Block 52+ aircraft and later received extensive modernization, including the AN/APG-83 AESA radar, updated mission computer, modernized cockpit displays, Link 16, and other systems.
For example, aircraft serial number 005 was originally delivered to Greece in 2009 as an F-16C Block 52+. It later underwent the Viper modernization program.
Now, you might find some sources referring to these upgraded aircraft as F-16V Block 72, and that’s not necessarily incorrect when describing their upgraded configuration.
But there’s an important distinction here:
Being upgraded to the Block 72 standard doesn’t mean the aircraft was originally manufactured as a Block 72.
That’s exactly why we need to distinguish between a production Block designation and a modernization standard.
An upgraded Block 52+ and a newly manufactured Block 72 can share essentially the same modernization package, but their original production configurations are still different.
Also, keep in mind that Block 70/72 refers to the new-production F-16 configuration, not simply an avionics upgrade package.
These aircraft are manufactured as new-build airframes, incorporating structural improvements and a redesigned service-life configuration rated for 12,000 flight hours.
An older F-16 upgraded to the same avionics standard doesn’t automatically become a Block 70/72. Its original production configuration and airframe history remain different.
Same modernization standard doesn’t mean the same production Block. That’s why they say Upgrading Block XX to the 70/72 Standard and never say Upgrading Block XX to Become Block 70/72
1 Like
Agree
Rafale F4 is in service since February 2024 in France