Lockheed Martin offers Ukraine its own version of the F-16

Lockheed Martin says it is exploring a Ukraine-focused version of the F-16 after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met company representatives in Kyiv on Oct. 19. Zelenskyy praised the jets’ role against Shahed drones and urged the program to continue. Company sources told The Defence Blog that one concept could pair an extended-range F-16 with a new AESA radar, enabling pilots to detect low-flying drones and cruise missiles earlier and faster than the radar on Ukraine’s current, older F-16 airframes. Lockheed Martin is also considering deeper integration of European weapons, such as guided bombs and cruise missiles.