Egypt is planning a comprehensive modernization of its fighter aircraft fleet. In addition to 24 more Rafale jets from France, Cairo is also reportedly seeking to acquire new F-16 Viper Block 70 aircraft from the United States, replacing part of its older F-16 fleet.
According to available information, Egypt operates a total of around 220 to 240 F-16s. Of these, 129 aircraft are older variants from Blocks 15, 32, and 40 and were manufactured in the 1980s and 1990s.
These aircraft have reportedly reached the end of their intended service lives. Egypt is therefore said to have requested the purchase of new F-16 Viper Block 70 aircraft from the United States.
The confidential request was reportedly submitted during the 2026 El Alamein Airshow. The plan is said to involve factory-new aircraft equipped with modern avionics and the AN/APG-83 AESA radar.
F-16 Viper with New Avionics
With the Block 70, Egypt would not simply be adding more aircraft to its F-16 fleet, but would instead replace some of its oldest aircraft with a significantly modernized variant.
The equipment package includes the AN/APG-83 AESA radar, along with a modernized digital cockpit. This would mean that Egypt would operate different generations of aircraft within its large F-16 fleet.
According to available information, Israel has not intervened against Egypt’s modernization plans.
24 More Rafale in Parallel
The F-16 procurement is not the only project aimed at modernizing the Egyptian Air Force. Cairo has reportedly also issued a tender, or Request for Proposal, to Dassault Aviation for 24 additional Rafale aircraft.
This would further expand Egypt’s existing French-made Rafale fleet. At the same time, the acquisition would continue the diversification of Egypt’s fighter fleet, which currently includes both U.S.-made F-16s and French Rafales.
The two projects pursue different approaches: while the new F-16s are intended to replace older aircraft within the existing U.S.-supplied fleet, the additional Rafale procurement would further expand the French component of the Egyptian Air Force.
Author: Arie Egozi, Israel Correspondent
Click here to read the latest issue of ESD.
