What all seemed to agree on, was that the the F-35 transmitting sensor data on Link 16 provided a huge boost in situational awareness for the rest of the fleet.

Some participants in the exercise jokingly referred to the stealth fighter as the ‘cheerleader’, always present providing data and cheering the other ones on, but often unable to take the shots themselves having already expended all their missiles.

Read more: https://corporalfrisk.com/2017/04/30/under-scottish-skies-red-flag-and-the-middle-east/

The F-35 needs new, smaller munitions…

Indonesia bought 24 F-16 in 2011/2012(?) at an estimated cost of 750million USD; however I do not know if that included refurbishment or not.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-asia-summit-f-idUSTRE7AI04V20111119

Nope, also Poland looked into buying some second-hand F-16 and refurbish them however concluded that compared to the price of brand-new F-16 (which will also have much longer life) it did not make sense.

In his statement to parliament this week, Kownacki said, “The analysis of purchasing of F-16A/B aircraft were carried out by the Ministry of National Defence, the general staff of the Polish armed forces and the armament inspectorate, and after that, it was clear that this was not the right direction.”
Gen. Jan Sliwka, deputy commander-in-chief of the Polish armed forces, said officials were surprised by the high costs paid by Romania to buy and upgrade used F-16A/Bs from Portugal, FlightGlobal reported.
“It cost more than the price of the same number of new aircraft,” Sliwka said.

https://www.dodbuzz.com/2017/03/24/poland-used-f16s/

Second-hand F-16 are cheap however one must add the cost of getting them up-to-date… furthermore the operating costs of F-16 are AFAIK higher than operating costs of Gripen C/D.

A Eurofighter Typhoon has successfully completed a simultaneous firing of two MBDA Meteor Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missiles as part of the programme to integrate the weapon on to the aircraft.

The trial was used to test successful engagement of targets and the simultaneous two-way data link between two missiles and the aircraft.

Read more: http://www.aircosmosinternational.com/eurofighter-typhoon-completes-successful-meteor-dual-firing-93703

In a press conference recently Saab confirmed they still aim for first flight of Gripen E in Q2.

http://www.corren.se/nyheter/linkoping/darfor-fick-hog-saab-chef-sparken-om4615695.aspx

Four UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft arrived in Romania on 24 April ahead of a four-month deployment in support of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission.

They will typically fly with two 2,000 litre drop-tanks, four Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAMs), four AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), and an internal Mauser BK-27 27 mm cannon.

http://www.janes.com/article/69804/raf-typhoons-arrive-in-romania

Two drop tanks, four ASRAAMs and four AMRAAM!? On a QRA mission?

Is this SOP for British Typhoons flying QRA? In particular the 8 missiles…!

It is decided for the Bulgarian Air Force to buy new Gripen fighters, writes Sega today, referring to unofficial information.

The decision was made after the offers received from Portugal and the United States, Sweden and Italy. On Wednesday it will be watched by the Council of Ministers, and then by the Parliament.

Google translated from: http://www.haskovo.net/news/425491/Resheno–MO-da-kupi-novi-iztrebiteli-Gripen

Not official yet…