In an unconventional turn in the global arms market, Israel has sold a fleet of its older F-16 fighter jets to North American buyers for use not in combat but in training roles. The deal underscores a shift in how militaries and defense contractors procure and repurpose aging warplanes.
Background and Deal Structure
The core of the transaction involves circa 29 surplus F-16A/B “Netz” jets, retired from Israeli service by 2016, that were sold to the Canadian private firm Top Aces Inc. Top Aces operates in the adversary air training sector—essentially flying as the “enemy” (or “red air”) in exercises to challenge pilots from the U.S., Canadian, and allied air forces. In other words, these jets will be used to simulate hostile threats during training, not to engage in combat themselves.
Prices for the jets were reportedly in the $3–4 million range each, making the entire deal worth around $100 million. The sale is facilitated via Israel’s Ministry of Defense export arm (SIBAT), which handles military equipment exports and surplus disposals.
Motivations and Benefits
From Israel’s perspective, offloading older jets that no longer fit its front-line force structure helps to reduce maintenance burden and generate revenue. Israel currently fields more advanced F-16C/D and F-16I “Sufa” variants, as well as integrating the F-35 into its air force. The older Netz jets had already been largely phased out of active operations.
For Top Aces and its defense clients, acquiring proven airframes that have historical performance records offers a cost-effective alternative to commissioning entirely new fighters for training. The idea is that these aircraft, suitably upgraded and maintained, can mimic potential adversary threats at a fraction of the cost of deploying high-end combat jets.
Additionally, the contract illustrates how the role of private defense firms is expanding. Rather than states always owning and operating aggressor units, private companies are increasingly filling that niche, especially in large training regimes where specialized “enemy” simulation is needed.
Implementation and Upgrades
Before entering service, the ex-Israeli jets will undergo upgrades and modifications. Top Aces intends to refit them with advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, data links, upgraded radar, and threat simulation gear—so they can effectively challenge newer generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35 during training missions. Indeed, some of the first jets were moved to the U.S. and parts were transported via cargo aircraft to prepare them for integration.
In a related move, Israel has shipped additional retired F-16s to the U.S. to support aggressor training roles under Top Aces’ operations. These jets will assist in large-scale exercises across U.S. air force bases, where adversary capabilities must be simulated realistically for pilot readiness.
Challenges and Risks
The age and operational history of the aircraft pose challenges. These jets have logged many flight hours and may require structural refurbishment, systems overhaul, or component replacement to ensure safe operation in their new role. Moreover, integrating modern systems into legacy airframes is technically complex and may face compatibility issues.
There are also regulatory and political dimensions: arms export approvals must pass foreign ministries and defense oversight in all relevant countries, especially when the jets cross borders. And while using them for training is less sensitive than combat transfers, the presence of advanced jets in private hands still draws scrutiny.
Implications
This deal marks one of the largest sales of surplus combat aircraft from Israel. It also signals evolving defense strategies: that aging warplanes can find a second life in training roles, bridging the gap between pure simulation and high-fidelity adversary air training.
For Israel, the move helps streamline its force. For the U.S., Canada, and allied forces, it means better training realism against credible fourth-generation threats without tying up their own high-end fighters. And for private firms like Top Aces, it cements their role as vital service providers in modern military training ecosystems.
