그리스가 F-16 블럭 50/52+ 30대를 구매하면서 옵션으로 걸었던 10대의 구매를 포기했다고 합니다. 작년에 유로파이터 대신 F-16 30대를 11억 유로(13.2억 달러)에 구매하고 10대를 옵션으로 했었는데, 10대에 대한 옵션을 포기했습니다. 하지만 왜 10대 추가 구매를 포기했는지에 대해서는 정확한 언급을 안했다고 합니다. 작년 10월 미국에서는 40대를 부대비용을 포함하여 31억 달러에 판매하겠다고 했는데 그리스 발표액의 3배라는군요. 그리스의 경우도 예산 문제가 아닌가? 싶습니다. 정리를 하자만 위에 나온 13.2억 달러는 F-16 블럭 50/52+ 30대에 대한 기체가격이고, 31억 달러는 협상중 미국이 제시한 40대에 대한 부대비용을 포함한 판매금액 입니다. 실제 계약은 30대를 20억 달러 정도에 구매하기로 했고 추후에 10대를 구매할 수 있다고 했는데, 그리스가 이 10대의 구매를 포기했다는 얘기입니다. 협상단계보다 가격이 많이 다운된것으로 봐서는 옵션을 많이 줄였나 봅니다. 폴란드의 F-16이 첫비행을 했다고 합니다. 2001년인지 2002년인지 정확히 기억은 안나지만 그리펜등과의 경쟁에서 이기고 폴란드의 주력전투기로 선정되었습니다. 미국은 구 동유럽 국가들에 대한 적극적인 마케팅으로 시장을 넓혀가고 있습니다. F-16은 이미 4,300대가 생산된 기종으로 24개국에서 1200만 시간의 비행시간을 기록하고 있다고 합니다. 폴란드에 공급되는 F-16은 48대로서 랜턴 수량이 다른 나라에 비해서 많은편이고 가격도 한대당 7,400만 달러 수준에 구매했던 것으로 기억합니다. 계속 생산중이고 그리스가 추가 구매하여 약 2010년 정도까지는 생산라인이 유지될것 같습니다. F-16은 30년 넘게 생산되는 전투기입니다. 생명력에 경의를 표합니다.   " http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1600424&C=europe " Greece Scraps Option to Buy Additional F-16s By REUTERS, ATHENS Greece decided to scrap an option to buy an additional 10 F-16 fighter jets from U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin on March 15, the country’s military council said. Last year, the council (KYSEA) approved the purchase of 30 F-16 warplanes in a deal valued at the time at 1.1 billion euros ($1.32 billion), with an option of 10 more from the United States, changing original plans to buy the European-made Eurofighter. The council said on March 15 it would not "exercise the option for the additional purchase of the 10 F-16 jets" but gave no reason for the decision. The initial deal for the 30 planes last July had caused considerable controversy as the conservative government cancelled an agreement between Greece and the consortium of the Eurofighter jet, signed by the previous socialist government. The Greek defense minister at the time of the purchase, Spilios Spiliotopoulos, had come under fire for what critics said was a vague deal which did not make clear what weapons, worth millions of euros, the planes would carry. In October, the U.S. Defense Department approved the sale to Greece of 40 F-16C/D fighter jets and associated equipment, in a deal it valued at up to $3.1 billion, almost three times as much as Greece had announced. " http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/conws/3725191.html " (PRN) Poland F-16 Has Successful First Flight PRNewswire-FirstCall FORT WORTH, Texas, March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announces successful completion of the maiden flight of the first Polish F-16 aircraft. The flight took place in Ft. Worth, Texas, USA and marks a key milestone in the success of the Peace Sky program. The F-16 flown yesterday is part of a 48-aircraft order by the Government of Poland and is planned for delivery to the Polish Air Force later this year. The pilot for the first flight was Paul Hattendorf, a company test pilot for Lockheed Martin. He performed numerous system checks, including engine throttle transients at various altitudes and radar checks using a photo chase F-16 as a simulated target. Hattendorf also took the aircraft to supersonic speeds and performed high-g maneuvers during the flight, which lasted just over an hour. After several additional check flights by both company and U.S. Air Force test pilots, this first Polish F-16 is scheduled to be ferried to Edwards AFB, Calif., in April for more system-specific testing. "The Poland Peace Sky program continues to progress right on schedule," said Irma Sippel, director of the Poland F-16 program. "First flight is a significant milestone and the first of several leading to the planned arrival of the aircraft in Poland later this year. We continue to be excited about our progress and about meeting our customer's expectations." The F-16, selected by 24 countries, is the multi-role fighter of choice. It has more than 12 million flight hours among more than 4,300 aircraft produced. "The record number of customer reorders reinforces the value of this incredible fighter, which shares technological enhancements with the 5TH Generation F-22 and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter," said June Shrewsbury, vice president of F-16 programs. "Today's F-16 is the most advanced fighter in international service. It is the most combat-tested multi-role aircraft, carrying the most up-to-date weapons and having lowest possible acquisition, operation and support costs." When delivered, Polish F-16s will be the most advanced in NATO. Features of the Block 52+ include an AN/APG-68(V) 9 radar fire control system and a Sniper Extended Range pod, which is an advanced targeting pod designed with an infrared pointer, laser, day TV, forward looking infrared, laser spot tracker and advanced algorithms. The pod delivers superior tracking performance and reliability. Additionally, the multi-role fighter developed for Poland is equipped with a helmet-mounted cueing system used for directing precision guided munitions and off-boresight missiles as well as for increasing pilot situational awareness. The aircraft is designed to be fully interoperable with NATO and European Union missions. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.