Article Posted on : - Dec 15, 2011

The F-16 fighter. A Lockheed photo

WASHINGTON (BNS): The US Defence Department has awarded Lockheed Martin a $600 million contract to supply 12 more F-16 C/D Block 50 multi-role fighters to Oman.

The contract, awarded under the US Government's Foreign Military Sales programme, will take the total number of F-16 fighters operated by Oman to 24.

Lockheed will provide 10 F-16 C single-seat jets and two F-16 D double-seat jets along with support equipment and integrated logistics support under the deal, the US DoD announced on December 14.

Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas and is expected to be completed in 2016, the DoD said.

The Royal Air Force of Oman currently operates 12 F-16 Block 50 fighters ordered from the US in 2002.