That's actually a good point except they would probably fit them on a certain number of F-16s only because none of them are set up to fire the missile. They need software integration and probably in the older blk 32s that were upgraded to blk 40 would need hardware integration as well that was purposefully kept out of them.
This is the entire list that was delivered since 1982. They would probably only select the 20 blk 52s (there are actually 19 of them now since one of them crashed near the Libyan border) that were delivered in 2013 and maybe the 24 blck 40 that were delivered in 2000 for a total of 43. If they're in a good mood and add the previous 21 blk 40s then there would be 63 F-16s that can fire the AIM-120 provided all of those serial production platforms exist and none have crashed.
So either 43 or 63 F-16s to fire the AIM-120 would be perfectly sufficient.
Program Model Block Qty. Serials Delivered
Peace Vector I F-16A Block 15 34 9301/9334 1982-1983
F-16B Block 15 8 9201/9208 1982-1985
Peace Vector II F-16C Block 32 34 9501/9534 1986-1988
F-16D Block 32 6 9401/9406 1986-1987
Peace Vector III F-16C Block 40 35 9901/9935 1991-1995
F-16D Block 40 12 9801/9812 1991-1993
Peace Vector IV F-16C Block 40 34 9951/9984 1994-1995
F-16D Block 40 12 9851/9862 1994-1995
Peace Vector V F-16C Block 40 21 9711/9731 1999-2000
Peace Vector VI F-16C Block 40 12 9732/9743 2001-2002
F-16D Block 40 12 9863/9874 2001-2002
Peace Vector VII F-16C Block 52 16 9751/9766 2012-2013
F-16D Block 52 4 9821/9824 2012-2013
Consider what Pakistan got with the MLU upgrade of the 10 Jordanian F-16s and the 26 new F-16blck 52s, if I'm not mistaken (and certainly feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), the MLU and new delivery was for 500 AIM-120s for a total batch of 36 aircraft only. Am I right?
https://www.defenseindustrydaily.co...es-upgrades-weapons-for-pakistans-f16s-02396/
So if I'm not mistaken, 500 AMRAAMs for 36 Pakistani jets would be ideal for the EAF but I do believe the inventory in the EAF has additional units that are fit for the upgrade than Pakistan (this is hardly a penis measuring contest my friend, just laying out facts for discussion points) so the option to provide more is probably available to the EAF. Even if they limit the count to 500 missiles but allowed 60 jets to be able to fire them, that's perfectly fine.
Heck the first batch of 24 Rafales came with only 150 MICAs total. Not sure they'll be adding any more with the 2nd batch of 12, but for 36 Rafales I would want at least 300 MICAs. So even with those birds we're short-handed.
Let's hope the Russian will shower us with R-77s and eventually the EAF adds the R-27EP and that's why the EAF really has no choice but to go Chinese mode in developing something even at the risk of pissing off whomever. They need to be a lot more aggressive about acquiring the decent level of A2A threat at any cost than they already have.
BTW, they just singed a contract with CZ to co-manufacture those in Egypt. Sounds like they're really happy with them and we should see more in circulation. Even the EVO is getting more common.
Trump just requested congress to pass the $1.3B aid package for fiscal year 2018 and huge news according to US embassy in Egypt that the Egyptian Military has signed the CISMOA in January of 2018! So why not pressure the US for that Viper upgrade on even just the 19 blk 52s for now?
@Frogman That would be a good way to slide in and if all goes well, add an additional 40 jets to the upgrade package the following year. There really is no reason now at all for the US to keep the missiles out of the EAF.
Oh and Bright Star has been scheduled again for this summer which is wild that they're having it in consecutive years. Usually it's every 2 years at the earliest.