ISTANBUL

Bahrain on Sunday received the first aircraft of the advanced F-16 Block 70, becoming the first nation in the world to get the combat jet.

According to the state news agency BNA, the Royal Bahraini Air Force has been handed over the first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet.

A handover ceremony was held at the Lockheed Martin headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina.

“The introduction of F-16 Block 70, which is characterized by its advanced security and combat capabilities, is an important qualitative addition to the Bahraini royal air force,” Commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defense Forces Field Marshal Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said.

The number of the highly-equipped and advanced combat aircraft that Bahrain will receive remains unclear.

Bahrain has long been home to the US Fifth Fleet, whose area of operations includes the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar