Morocco’s First F-16 Block 72 Jet Takes Flight

By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-10-06 19:56:55 | Updated at 2026-10-06 20:42:54 53 minutes ago

MOROCCO · DEFENCE

Key Facts

—The country Morocco, a North African kingdom and major non-NATO ally of the United States, has flown US-built F-16s since 2011.
—The background In 2019 Washington cleared 25 new Block 72 jets for about US$3.8 billion and upgrades for 23 older F-16s.
—Why now Lockheed assembles new F-16s in Greenville, South Carolina, and is now flight-testing the first jet built for Morocco.
—What happened On Tuesday, 6 October, Lockheed announced that the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s first F-16 Block 72 had flown.
—The numbers The two 2019 approvals together were valued at up to about US$4.8 billion, including weapons and support equipment.
—What it means for you The order supports US aerospace jobs, and Lockheed says the F-16 draws on more than 500 suppliers in 41 states.
—Still open Lockheed has not given a delivery date, and the exact date and place of the flight were not stated.

The jet still has to finish flight tests, but the flight is a milestone for an arms deal approved in 2019.

The first F-16 Block 72 fighter built for Morocco’s air force has made its maiden flight, Lockheed Martin said on Tuesday. The American manufacturer issued the announcement on 6 October from Greenville, South Carolina, where it assembles new F-16s.

The jet is now in flight testing ahead of its first delivery, the company said. It matters to US readers because the 2019 deal supports American factory jobs and arms a close security partner.

What Lockheed Martin Announced About the F-16 Block 72

Lockheed describes the F-16 Block 72 as the newest and most advanced version of the Fighting Falcon, the jet’s official name. According to the company, it has modernised avionics, advanced sensors and improved mission systems.

In F-16 terms, a block number marks a production standard with a set package of equipment. The older Moroccan jets delivered from 2011 are Block 52 aircraft.

Mike Shoemaker, vice-president and general manager of Lockheed’s Integrated Fighter Group, said the flight “reflects meaningful progress” on the programme. He called it “a critical step in strengthening Morocco’s future airpower.”

Le360, a Moroccan news site, reported the flight on Tuesday, citing the Lockheed statement. It noted that the aircraft is continuing its test campaign before delivery.

A Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 in flight over Morocco

How Big Morocco’s Fighter Deal Is

In March 2019 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which manages US arms exports, notified Congress of a possible sale to Morocco. It covered 25 F-16 Block 72 jets with engines, radars, weapons and support, at an estimated US$3.787 billion.

That is about US$151 million per jet, but the package also includes missiles, bombs, targeting pods and support equipment. A second notice covered upgrading 23 existing Moroccan F-16s to the modern F-16V standard, for about US$985 million.

US trade outlet Defense News put the two sales together at roughly US$4.8 billion, a ceiling rather than a contract price. It called the jet request the largest notice of fiscal 2019 at the time.

Tuesday’s release does not say how many jets Morocco finally ordered. US trade publication Air & Space Forces Magazine reported in 2022 that Morocco’s older F-16s would be upgraded in Greenville.

Why Morocco Matters to Washington

Both 2019 notices describe Morocco as a major non-NATO ally, a US designation for close partners outside the Atlantic alliance. They also cite Moroccan combat missions against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

In December 2020 the United States recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, in a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump. The territory, a former Spanish colony, is also claimed by the Polisario Front, an independence movement backed by Algeria.

The final status of Western Sahara remains the subject of a UN-led political process. Rabat, Morocco’s capital, has proposed autonomy for the territory under Moroccan sovereignty.

Lockheed says Moroccan forces also fly its C-130 transport planes and Black Hawk helicopters and will receive its HIMARS rocket launchers. The flight news came on the eve of the Marrakech Airshow, as Lockheed also courts Moroccan parts suppliers.

What It Means for US Readers

Lockheed says F-16 work involves more than 500 suppliers in 41 of the 50 states. It counts about 46,000 direct and indirect US jobs and over US$1.3 billion of economic impact in Greenville.

The Greenville line builds F-16s for foreign customers, so export orders like Morocco’s keep it running. For investors in Lockheed, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange, delivery timing on these orders matters.

Arms exports are also a tool of US foreign policy, and Morocco is a regular buyer of US military equipment. Each major sale is notified to Congress, which can review it before a contract is signed.

What Is Not Known

Lockheed did not state the exact date or location of the flight, and it gave no date for the first delivery. The number of Block 72 jets on firm order has not been published in the release.

The progress of the upgrade of Morocco’s older F-16s was not addressed. It is also not known where in Morocco the new jets will be based.

What Comes Next

The aircraft will continue flight tests before it is handed over to the Royal Moroccan Air Force. The upgrade of 23 older Moroccan F-16s to the F-16V standard is the other half of the 2019 package.

Tuesday’s news does not mean the jet has been delivered or has reached Morocco. It is a test milestone on the way to delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the F-16 Block 72?

It is the latest production version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a single-engine US fighter jet built by Lockheed Martin. It adds modernised avionics, advanced sensors and improved mission systems.

Where are the new F-16s built?

Lockheed assembles new F-16s at its plant in Greenville, South Carolina. The company issued Tuesday’s announcement from there.

How many F-16s is Morocco getting?

In 2019 the US approved the sale of 25 new F-16 Block 72 jets and upgrades for 23 older ones. The final number on contract was not given in Tuesday’s release.

Why does the US sell fighter jets to Morocco?

Washington treats Morocco as a major non-NATO ally and a force for stability in North Africa. The sales also support jobs at US defence factories and suppliers.