April 26, 2006:
Jordan is taking advantage of the continuing Cold War sales of surplus jet fighters, by buying another twenty F-16s from the Netherlands. Jordan already has 35 used F-16s (from the United States and the Netherlands.) Most of these aircraft are upgraded with late model radars and electronics. Jordan is getting these aircraft at about a third the price of new aircraft. With 55 F-16s, Jordan is still far outclassed by neighbor Israel. But with well trained pilots, Jordan can deal with neighboring Syria and Saudi Arabia. Jordan has no pending problems with any of its neighbors.