The first F-16 Block 72 built for Morocco has made its first flight, Lockheed Martin said on Oct. 6, 2026, opening flight testing before the jet is handed over.
The company did not say how long the flight lasted, who flew it, or when delivery will happen. Its release said the jet will now continue through flight testing before first delivery, according to Defence Industry Europe.
Zona Militar reported that the aircraft took off from Lockheed Martin’s Greenville, South Carolina, plant and that it is a twin-seat F-16D. Lockheed Martin’s own release, as relayed by other outlets, did not give those details.
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The First F-16 Block 72 Flight for Morocco
Mike Shoemaker, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, said in the release: “This first flight reflects meaningful progress on Morocco’s F-16 Block 72 program and is a critical step in strengthening Morocco’s future airpower.”
Lockheed Martin described the F-16 Block 72 as the newest and most advanced version of the Fighting Falcon, with modernized avionics, advanced sensors, improved mission systems and enhanced safety and reliability features, according to Hespress.
The announcement gave no number of jets in the order and no price. Zona Militar reported that 25 aircraft are on order, a figure that matches the 2019 U.S. approval.
The Morocco F-16 Block 72 Order
The U.S. State Department approved the possible sale on March 25, 2019, TWZ reported. It covered 25 new F-16C/D Block 72 fighters at an estimated $3.787 billion, plus an upgrade package for 23 existing Block 52+ jets at an estimated $985.2 million, for roughly $4.77 billion in all.
Those figures are approval ceilings, not contract prices. TWZ said the Block 72 uses the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine and the AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar. The package also included an updated cockpit, an electronic warfare suite, improved data links, helmet-mounted cueing and reconnaissance pods.
Zona Militar noted that Morocco has flown Pratt & Whitney-powered F-16s since 2008, so the engine choice keeps logistics and support common across the fleet.
Lockheed Martin’s Wider Work in Morocco
Lockheed Martin has supplied Morocco since 1974, when the first C-130H Hercules was delivered, according to Hespress. The company says Morocco also operates radar systems and Black Hawk helicopters and will receive HIMARS rocket launchers.
Lockheed Martin plans a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Benslimane covering more than 8,000 square meters. It is meant to support heavy maintenance of Morocco’s C-130s, with room to add F-16 work later, Defence Industry Europe and Hespress reported.
What Comes Next
The jet now goes through the rest of its flight-test program. No official delivery date has been published, and the release did not say how many of the 25 aircraft have been built so far.
Morocco’s order also matters for the wider F-16 line. Lockheed Martin is building Block 70/72 jets at Greenville for several customers, including Taiwan, which received its first two on Oct. 2 after years of delay, Focus Taiwan reported.
FAQ: Morocco’s F-16 Block 72
When did Morocco’s first F-16 Block 72 fly?
Lockheed Martin announced the first flight on Oct. 6, 2026. The release did not give the flight’s length or the pilot.
How many F-16 Block 72 jets is Morocco buying?
The 2019 U.S. approval covered 25 new jets, and Zona Militar reports 25 on order. No contract value has been published.
When will Morocco receive its first F-16 Block 72?
No date has been announced. Lockheed Martin said only that the aircraft will continue flight testing before first delivery.
Looking Ahead
Three things to watch: an official delivery date for the first F-16 Block 72, the arrival of more Moroccan jets on the Greenville line, and progress on the Benslimane maintenance facility. Lockheed Martin has not given a schedule for any of them.
Sources
- Lockheed Martin — Announces First Flight of Morocco’s First F-16 Block 72
- Hespress — Morocco’s first F-16 Block 72 completes maiden flight
- Defence Industry Europe — Morocco’s first F-16 Block 72 has made its maiden flight
- Zona Militar — First of Morocco’s 25 new F-16 Block 72 fighters starts flight tests
- TWZ — Morocco cleared to buy 25 advanced F-16s and upgrade its existing fleet
- Focus Taiwan (CNA) — Taiwan receives first 2 F-16V Block 70s
