Iran Conflict 2026: Bahrain scores first air-to-air kill for F-16 Block 70

A file photo of a Royal Bahraini Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft. One of these recently scored the type's first air-to-air kill, downing two Iranian UAVs. (US Air Force)

A Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 70 combat aircraft of the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) has scored the type's first air-to-air kill.

A recently received RBAF F-16 Block 70 shot down two Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the manufacturer reported on 9 April.

“Proven in combat,” Lockheed Martin said, adding, “An F-16 Block 70 fighter jet operated by the Royal Bahraini Air Force achieved [the type's] first air-to-air kills, intercepting and destroying two hostile unmanned aerial vehicles.”

Lockheed Martin did not disclose which weapons the jet used in the engagement, but linked to an Aviation Week story which cited an unnamed source familiar with the incident. Air-to-air weapons approved for the Bahraini procurement comprised Raytheon AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles. The F-16 is also equipped with an integral 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan Gatling gun.

The RBAF received the first of 16 newbuild F-16C/D Block 70 jets in March 2024, and is upgrading its 20 Block 40 F-16C/D aircraft to this latest standard to make a total fleet of 36 F-16 Block 70 aircraft.

For more information, please see First F-16 Block 70s depart for Bahrain