F-16 Superpowers: These Nations Have the Biggest F-16 Fleets
Briefly

F-16 Superpowers: These Nations Have the Biggest F-16 Fleets
"For some quick background, early variants of the F-16 sell for roughly $13 million with more recent variants starting between $25 and $30 million. However, the most advanced versions of this aircraft can cost anywhere upwards of $60 million. This cost compared-to newer fighter aircraft like the F-35 (~$110 million)-is relatively cheap which also owes to the F-16's longevity in international fleets. ( Turkey and the F-35: A Real Threat or Overblown Concern?)"
"To identify the countries with the most F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2025 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ranked these countries according to the number of F-16 currently in service. We included supplemental information regarding active F-16s in respective fleets, military branches that will be using these aircraft, and what variants of the F-16 are on order or are currently in service."
"Tracking global F-16 Fighting Falcon arsenals sheds some light on which nations are prioritizing affordability and versatility in their air forces, while still maintaining a cutting-edge fleet. The F-16 is a fourth-generation fighter jet with a solid track record. The Fighting Falcon is a proven workhorse capable of carrying out a wide range of missions, from air-to-air combat to precision ground strikes. Knowing which countries operate the F-16 helps map out global defense alignments."
Air forces worldwide favor the F-16 Fighting Falcon for affordability, versatility, and proven combat capability. Early F-16 variants sell for roughly $13 million, recent variants start between $25 and $30 million, and the most advanced versions can cost upwards of $60 million, substantially less than newer fighters like the F-35 at about $110 million. Inventory figures from 2025 indicate countries ranked by F-16s currently in service and provide active aircraft counts, operating branches, and variants on order. The F-16 executes air-to-air, precision ground strike, and multirole missions, remaining a global workhorse.
Read at 24/7 Wall St.
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