--- title: "Bahrain First To Claim F-16 Block 70 Air-To-Air Kills" description: "The Bahraini advanced F-16 shot down two Iranian drones during the conflict in the Middle East earlier this month. The Bahraini F-16C/D fighter shot down two Iranian drones during the conflict in the Middle East earlier this month." date: "2026-04-10" modified: "2026-04-10" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/air/bahrain-first-to-claim-f-16-block-70-air-to-air-kills" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "Drones" - "F-16" - "Fighters" - "Iran" - "Middle East" - "News & Features" --- # Bahrain First To Claim F-16 Block 70 Air-To-Air Kills ![A Bahraini F-16 fighter recorded the first air-to-air kill for the Block 70/72 version of the jet during the conflict in the Middle East earlier this month.]() *U.S. Air Force* Bahrain has scored the first air-to-air kills by [the latest Block 70 variant]() of the [iconic F-16 Viper](), taking down two Iranian drones during the conflict in the Middle East earlier this month. The incident comes as air forces around the world grapple with the [emerging aerial drone threat]() and as interest in the [advanced version]() of the Viper [remains undiminished](). In a social media post, below a photo of a Royal Bahrani Air Force (RBAF) F-16D Block 70, Lockheed Martin stated: “Proven in combat. Two hostile unmanned aerial vehicles eliminated.” https://twitter.com/LockheedMartin/status/2042380625043145067?s=20 In [another post]() on X, Lockheed Martin linked to an [article]() from *Aviation Week*, which provides more details of the landmark air-to-air kill. On April 1, the RBAF F-16 brought down a pair of Iranian drones after these had evaded intercept attempts by ground-based air defenses in the pre-dawn hours. The fact that the jet was scrambled to respond to drones that had leaked through ground-based air defenses points to the flexibility and rapid response time offered by crewed fighters in this kind of scenario. The pilot fired single examples of the [AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles]() (AMRAAM) and [AIM-9X Sidewinder]() to take down the drones. For counter-drone work, the pilot can also call upon an internal 30mm M61 Vulcan rotary cannon, although safely engaging slow-flying drones with the gun is notoriously challenging. It should be noted that using missile-armed fighters to shoot down low-cost drones has raised repeated concerns about the mismatch in cost between the target and the interceptor. For example, the [latest variants of the AMRAAM]() cost around $1 million each, while current-generation AIM-9X Sidewinders each have a price tag of around $450,000. Air-to-air-optimized laser-guided rockets that are already equipping U.S. Air Force F-16s will help bring down this cost dramatically, although the capability is still young, and few F-16 operators have been equipped with it yet. ![The first Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16 Block 70 lands at Edwards Air Force Base, California, March 28. The 412th Test Wing’s 416th Flight Test Squadron will conduct flight tests on the aircraft before delivery to the Bahrain Defence Force. (Photo courtesy of 412th Test Wing Public Affairs, US Air Force)]() *The first Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16 Block 70 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, before delivery. *Photo courtesy of 412th Test Wing Public Affairs, U.S. Air Force* Chase Kohler* Regardless, the Block 70 version of the F-16 is especially well-equipped to tackle drones. Its Northrop Grumman [AN/APG-83]() radar, also known as the Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), uses an active electronically scanned array (AESA), which makes it especially suitable for working against drones and cruise missiles. These typically fly at low levels, which, combined with their small size, radar cross-section, and infrared signature, makes them inherently difficult for traditional mechanically scanned fighter radars to spot. The jets also carry an AN/AAQ-33 [Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod](), which can also be used to detect and identify aerial threats. Bahrain was on the receiving end of constant barrages of Iranian missiles and drones after the conflict began on February 28. According to the Bahrain Defense Force, its units intercepted 194 missiles and 515 drones headed toward the small island kingdom between the start of the conflict and the temporary ceasefire that was announced earlier this week. Fittingly, for the first operator to claim an aerial kill with the F-16 Block 70, Bahrain was also the launch customer for this version of the jet. It placed an order for 16 examples in 2019, and [the first of these arrived]() at Isa Air Base in Bahrain in 2024. https://twitter.com/LockheedMartin/status/1765445563774795807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1765445563774795807%7Ctwgr%5Eb24d42f1a99ac274770f420b7126a5f994619858%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Fair%2Ffirst-block-70-f-16s-are-out-for-delivery It is worth noting that, in addition to their air defense role, the Bahraini Block 70s are well equipped for offensive missions. During weapons tests in the United States, we have seen the jets carrying 500-pound-class [Joint Direct Attack Munition]() (JDAM) precision-guided bombs, including dual-mode GBU-54/B [Laser JDAMs]() (LJDAM). ![Air Force Reserve Crews over Southern California with the 370th FLTS from Edwards Air Force Base provide aerial refueling from a KC-135 to a Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Royal Bahraini Air Force. The F-16 Block 70 is currently in developmental test with the 416th FLTS, Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force at Edwards. A sub-mission of the 416th FLTS is to provide flight test services for Foreign Military Sales customers of the F-16.]() *A Bahraini Block 70 Viper is seen loaded with a pair of AIM-120 AMRAAMs on its wingtips, as well as an AIM-9X Sidewinder and a test pod on its left and right outboard underwing stations, respectively. Moving inboard, there are two 500-pound-class JDAM: a mix of two standard GBU-38/B types and a pair of dual-mode GBU-54/B Laser JDAMs. All the weapons are inert training rounds. The aircraft also has an AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod on the right intake “chin” station. *U.S. Air Force* Richard Gonzales* The U.S. government also approved the potential sale to Bahrain of [a slew of other weapons]() to arm these jets. These included [AGM-84 Harpoon]() anti-ship missiles, [AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles]() (HARM), [AGM-154 Joint Stand-off Weapon]() (JSOW) glide bombs, 250-pound-class [GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs]() (SDB), 2,000-pound class JDAMs (including LJDAMs), and [Paveway-series]() precision-guided bombs. While the RBAF has not revealed further details of its recent combat missions, the Block 70 is clearly a significant part of the service’s capabilities. The new Vipers are far more capable than the Block 40 versions that Bahrain originally acquired in the 1990s. Under the Peace Crown I and II Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs, Bahrain received 22 F-16C/D Block 40 aircraft in two tranches. Survivors remain in service today. ![Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conduct a formation flyover during the Bahrain International Airshow, at Sakhir Air Base, Bahrain, Nov. 15, 2024. Bahrain's security partnership with the U.S. extends beyond the region, as demonstrated by their 30-year involvement in the F-16 fighter jet program. Bahrain is the first in the world to fly the newest and most advanced version, the F-16 Block 70, which arrived in March 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)]() *Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16C Block 40 Fighting Falcons conduct a formation flyover during the Bahrain International Airshow, at Sakhir Air Base, Bahrain, Nov. 15, 2024. *U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft* Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft* As well as an AESA radar and the aforementioned advanced weapons, the Block 70 has a 12,000-hour airframe life and a host of other major upgrades over older F-16s, such as cockpits with wide-panel digital displays and conformal fuel tanks. They also have improved mission computers that give the jets a new ‘digital backbone,” and more, as you can read about in detail [here](). Since Bahrain ordered it, five more countries have signed up for the Block 70, creating an order book for 148 aircraft. These aircraft are being built at a new assembly line in Greenville, South Carolina, after production was relocated from Fort Worth, Texas, to make room for F-35 expansion. Already, the new Block 70 versions have seen a surge in demand in recent years, providing the F-16 with a new lease of life. The fact that the type has now proven itself in aerial combat, against Iranian drones, is another significant milestone in the Viper story. *Contact the author:* [*thomas@thewarzone.com*]() ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()