Unveiling the F-16 Fighting Falcon: The Legendary Jet’s History, Secrets, and Showdown with Modern Fighters
More than 4,600 F-16s have been built since 1976; about 2,084 remain in service across 25 countries as of 2025. The jet debuted in combat in 1981 with Israel and scored 44 air-to-air kills in the 1982 Bekaa Valley with no losses. Notable variants include the UAE’s Block 60 and the Block 70/72 “Viper.” Current F-16Vs cost $70–$85 million per jet, with operating costs near $26,000 per flight hour.