The UAE Armed Forces announced plans to upgrade its fleet of F-16 fighter jets to the latest standard.

According to officials, UAE’s government has awarded Lockheed Martin a US$1.6 billion for to upgrade its fleet of 80 Lockheed Martin F-16E/F  fighters.

“The UAE Air Force flies the most advanced fourth-generation fighter in the world—the F-16 Block 60 ‘Desert Falcon,'” according to Lockheed Martin.

“This is yet another step forward in our partnership to enhance UAE national security and air defense capabilities.”

The UAE is also interested in fifth-generation fighter jets with a preference for Lockheed Martin’s F-35, which is the only Western-made jet that fully meets those requirements.