The U.S. Air Force has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin [LMT] for the construction of 18 F-16s that will be turned over to the Iraqi government under the Foreign Military Sales program.
The Iraqis are set to receive 12 F-16C and six F-16D variants of the Block 52 multi-role fighter under the $835 million dollar contract awarded earlier this week.
The contract includes support equipment, technical orders, and integrated and contractor logistics support, the Pentagon said.
The aircraft will be built at Lockheed Martin’s plant in Fort Worth, Texas, with final delivery expected to take place in 2018, the Pentagon said.
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is overseeing the program.