Morocco contracts LM for F-16s

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 6 (UPI) -- The Royal Moroccan Air Force has contracted U.S. company Lockheed Martin for 24 Advanced F-16 Block 52 configured aircraft.

Lockheed Martin announced it received an undefinitized contract authorization from the U.S. government for the Moroccan contract to proceed. Under the $233.6 million deal, Lockheed Martin will produce 24 of the company's trademarked F-16C/D aircraft specially modified for Moroccan Air Force requirements.

Company officials say the contract is part of the foreign military sales program with Morocco. The contract also includes service and support.

"We are pleased the Royal Moroccan Air Force selected the F-16 to modernize its fighter force and look forward to working with them as the newest member of the F-16 family," John Larson, Lockheed Martin aeronautics F-16 program vice president, said in a statement.

"The F-16 provides the Kingdom of Morocco with the world's most affordable and technologically advanced multi-role fighter available today, with the added benefit of interoperability with the U.S. Air Force and many other air forces."