Article Posted on : - Aug 05, 2011

F-16 Fighting Falcon. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO (BNS): The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) Thursday received the first four of 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft at Ben Guerrir Air Base in Morocco.

"The delivery of these aircraft places Morocco among the very elite group of air forces of the world who operate the advanced multirole F-16," Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics business area, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

The report also said that, as this is Morocco’s first experience with the F-16 so the package being provided by the US government is comprehensive.

Morocco will acquire a Block 52 configuration of the F-16C/D aircraft tailored to meet the specific requirements of the RMAF.

The sale includes the aircraft, mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other US and international contractors.

The new aircraft will supplement the RMAF’s existing fleet of fighter aircraft and will contribute to the upgrade and modernisation of the RMAF.