The F-16 Fighting Falcon is the world's most widely operated multirole fighter jet because of its superior maneuverability, offensive capabilities and proven combat track record.

Since its inception in 1976, more than 30 countries have employed the F-16. As of 2022, 25 countries still flew the jet and more than 4,550 F-16s had been produced for both the United States and its allies.

The F-16A entered service with the US Air Force in 1978.

A team within General Dynamics' aerospace division developed the aircraft in the early 1970s as an alternative to increasingly heavy and unmaneuverable fighter aircraft.

It was born out of the need for a dexterous, light and inexpensive fighter aircraft that could turn on a dime, escaping enemy missiles and machine gun fire.

The United States displayed the newly developed F-16's speed and maneuverability at the 1975 Paris Airshow, impressing NATO allies Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.

Those countries would establish a consortium with the United States in which they agreed to co-produce and purchase an initial 348 F-16s to be distributed among their air forces.

Belgium ordered 116, Denmark 58, Norway 72 and the Netherlands 102.

Under the auspices of the agreement, General Dynamics' aircraft manufacturing division agreed to have the engines and electrical equipment manufactured by each consortium member in Europe, and Belgium and the Netherlands would host the final airframe assembly lines. The member states shared maintenance, repair and overhaul work.

The General Dynamics aerospace division and the role of manufacturing the F-16 were acquired by Lockheed Martin in 1993.

Through its legacy of international cooperation, the F-16 has maintained preeminence as the global choice for light fighter aircraft.

The US Air Force initially planned to end production of the F-16 by 2017. However, it ultimately opted to extend the life of the aircraft and in 2019 orders by Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Morocco spurred further aircraft production.

Combat-proven record

The F-16 saw its combat debut in 1981 when Israel Defense Forces F-16s shot down two Syrian Mi-8 helicopters over Lebanon. Less than two weeks later, eight IDF F-16s destroyed Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in a raid.

The F-16 cemented its place in history through its participation in the first successful raid on a nuclear reactor.

For its part, the US Air Force first used the F-16 in combat in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.

Since these initial deployments, the F-16 has been in constant use around the globe. A Lockheed Martin fact sheet on the aircraft published in March 2021 reports that the global F-16 fleet boasts more than 19 million cumulative flight hours.

Even today, the F-16 serves as an alliance builder.

Ukrainian military pilots have begun learning to fly the F-16 in Arizona, the US Air Force announced October 25.

The Ukrainian pilots completed language training in San Antonio, Texas, at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center and commenced training with the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, the premier F-16 fighter pilot training unit.

The Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway pledged to donate a number of the fighter jets to Ukraine once the training concludes.

The move came after a long running campaign by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to receive F-16 aircraft to support Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia.

"This is an essential part of building Ukraine's air defense. The United States is proud to work [with] European partners to support Ukraine against Russia's brutal aggression," said US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget A. Brink in a statement posted to X (formerly known as Twitter).