Lockheed Martin brings F-16V to Indonesia

JAKARTA, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Indonesia is in the market for a new fighter to replace the F-5E, and Lockheed Martin brought its F-16 cockpit demonstrator to the country this week to highlight the F-16V, the latest version of the Fighting Falcon.

The company says the F-16V is the most advanced 4th generation fighter available on the market today. The aircraft comes equipped with several enhancements to the mission computer, the craft's structure, cockpit, electronic warfare system, and the Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), a full-performance fire control radar designed to support next generation weapons and tactics.

Indonesian officials, journalists, and U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert Blake Jr. all took turns sitting in the simulator. Other aircraft the country may consider include Saab's Gripen fighter.

The new F-16 enhancements are the most comprehensive upgrades to what Lockheed Martin calls the world's most affordable and effective multi-role fighter to date.

The F-16V is the latest update of a 40-year program that has served 28 customers around the world. The first F-16 took flight in 1974, and has since gone through 138 different configurations. Lockheed Martin has produced 4,500 of the fighters for 11 countries since the program began.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo will make his first visit to the United States as president and meet with President Barack Obama at the White House Oct. 26. The White House says the two leaders will discuss matters of defense, trade and maritime issues.