Lockheed Martin and Sabena Engineering Sign Letter of Intent to Expand Regional F-16 Sustainment Collaboration

Partnership expands regional sustainment capabilities to help F-16 operators enhance readiness and fleet availability.

Farnborough, UK, 23 July 2026 – Sabena Engineering and Lockheed Martin signed a letter of intent (LOI) today at the Farnborough International Airshow to establish a framework for expanding regional sustainment support for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including the advanced Block 70/72 configuration. The agreement will help current and future operators strengthen fleet readiness through enhanced access to regional lifecycle support while advancing sovereign sustainment capability.

The agreement brings together Sabena Engineering’s more than 50 years of F-16 maintenance experience, established depot infrastructure in Belgium and regional workforce expertise with Lockheed Martin’s technical knowledge as the aircraft manufacturer. Together, the companies will deliver a flexible sustainment model tailored to F-16 operator’s requirements, whether introducing the aircraft into service, expanding an existing fleet or developing in-country sustainment capability.

F-16 fleets will benefit from an integrated approach to lifecycle sustainment that combines regional infrastructure with technical expertise, training and engineering support. The model is designed to help operators maximize aircraft availability and mission readiness while developing the workforce, industrial capability and technical capacity needed to sustain their fleets over the long term.

“Across Europe and beyond, 29 nations fly the F-16 because it delivers the interoperability, trust and proven capability that come from operating a common platform,” said Mike Shoemaker, Vice President of Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. “Together with Sabena Engineering, we’re expanding regional expertise to help customers maximize fleet availability, strengthen sovereign maintenance capabilities and keep their aircraft ready for every mission.”

Stéphane Burton, CEO of Orizio Group, said:

“For more than 50 years, Sabena Engineering has supported the F16 and developed a unique depth of expertise on the platform. This cooperation with Lockheed Martin allows us to build on that legacy and extend it to the latest Block 70/72 aircraft. Together, we are creating a flexible support framework that can help operators develop sovereign capabilities in-country while benefiting from access to an established regional sustainment hub in Europe. The ultimate objective is simple: delivering the expertise, training and support required to maximize fleet availability and mission readiness throughout the life of the aircraft.”

The agreement further reinforces the strategic relationship between Lockheed Martin and Sabena Engineering and reflects a common vision to support the evolving needs of the global F16 community through innovative, responsive and customer-focused sustainment solutions.

About Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.

About Sabena Engineering

Sabena Engineering is an independent international MRO&U provider delivering maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade solutions for commercial and military aircraft. With more than 50 years of experience supporting the Belgian Defence, the company is a strategic partner to NATO and Allied Air Forces. Its defense activities include maintenance, modernization, engineering and mission-ready support for platforms such as the F-16, F-35, A400M, MQ-9B, PC-7 and C-130. Through strong partnerships with leading OEMs, including Lockheed Martin, Airbus Defence and General Dynamics, Sabena Engineering provides advanced sustainment solutions worldwide. The company employs more than 900 people and operates from facilities in Belgium and Morocco, as well as across international airports and military bases.

Photo:

• (Back row, right) Jay Pitman, president, Lockheed Martin International
• (Back row, middle) His Excellency Theo Francken, Minister of Defence & Foreign Trade of Belgium
• (Back row, left) Steve Sheehy, vice president of Global Pursuits, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
• (Front row, left) Nick Smythe, vice president of Sustainment Campaigns Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
• (Front row, right) Stéphane Burton, CEO Sabena Engineering