In response to rising regional tensions and to strengthen its defence capabilities, the United States has deployed additional F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, including specialised Electronic Warfare Block 50 models, to the Middle East.
Reports claim 24 of 36 U.S. F-16s being deployed to the Middle East are F-16CJ “Wild Weasel” variants, specialised for air defence suppression (SEAD) missions. The F-16s are from the 480th Fighter Squadron, based at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany.
These jets are equipped with AN/ASQ-213 HARM targeting systems, allowing them to passively detect enemy radar emissions and strike them with AGM-88 HARM / AGM-88E AARGM anti-radiation missiles.
They also carry AN/ALQ-184 electronic warfare pods to jam and disrupt enemy air-defence radars.
In short, these aircraft are configured specifically to hunt and suppress air defence systems.
The F-16CJ/DJ is a dedicated SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) aircraft with the HTS (HARM Targeting System) pod mounted under the starboard side of the intake and a pair of AGM-88 HARMs. The aircraft received upgraded engines: the F110-GE-129 (Block 50) or the F100-PW-229 (Block 52).
The deployment aims to reinforce the U.S. regional presence amid potential threats from Iran and to support allied defence, particularly following and in anticipation of attacks between Israel and Iran.
These F-16J aircraft are known as “Block 50” jets and specialise in suppressing enemy air defences (SEAD). They are equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, making them highly effective at countering low-altitude, small radar cross-section threats such as drones.
These aircraft join other U.S. assets already in the region, including F-22, F-15E, and A-10 aircraft, as well as Navy assets.
The new, highly capable F-16s may allow older F-16 models previously deployed from Aviano Air Base to rotate back to Europe.
This deployment is part of a broader, ongoing effort by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to enhance air defence capabilities across the Middle East.
© 2026, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
