By
Chyrine Mezher on December 16, 2020 at 11:20 AM
Artist’s rendition Bahrain F-16 Block 70
BEIRUT: The fact that the United Arab Emirates looks likely to receive F-35 fighter jets does not mean its Arab allies will be able to share the advanced data the fifth generation fighter can gather. For example, It would take Bahrain up to 10 years before it can integrate its fourth generation aircraft with the F-35 fleet, Brig. Gen. Munther Majed Nasser Al-Khalifa, acting fighter wing Commander of the Royal Bahrain Air Force said.
“This is not going to happen overnight,” the general said during the virtual Manama airpower symposium (MAPS 2020). “Our combat-proven fourth generation aircraft will be around for at least the next two decades, so we need to find ways to better learn how to integrate them with fifth generation platforms of allies.”