If we rely on reference data from open sources, we can see indications that the armament of F-16 aircraft may include AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
Against this backdrop, the report stating "American military has found an interesting solution for integrating Harpoon with F-16" may seem quite unusual. However, one must pay close attention to the details that could theoretically clarify the essence of the matter.
The US Air Force (USAF) in one of its official statements revealed that on February 27, 2025, personnel from the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group (53 TEG) conducted "operational tests for the integration of the US Navy's Harpoon missile system onto the F-16 aircraft," which took place at Nellis Air Force Base.
It is noted that during these tests, American military personnel worked on a technological solution that allows for the integration of the Harpoon missile into the armament of the F-16 without complex and lengthy modifications to the aircraft itself.
This involves a sort of "gateway" that allows communication between the host aircraft and the anti-ship missile during flight, which should ensure reliable targeting of the missile at the target. It is emphasized that such a "gateway" is suitable for integrating not only the Harpoon but also other types of air-to-surface weaponry.
At first glance, the rationale for conducting such work seems somewhat unclear, but there is a real technological necessity for it. The thing is that the AGM-84 Harpoon was officially integrated into the armament of the F-16 only in August 1994, after extensive integration work, including for foreign customers. To utilize the Harpoon from the F-16, two elements are required - the installation of an interface adapter and the installation of appropriate software that supports the use of this missile. Publicly available data on the cost of the Harpoon for the US Armed Forces is only available for the 2020 fiscal year (can be seen here); and currently, it is publicly known about only one contract for the supply of such missiles, specifically in the RGM-84 variant, announced in April 2023.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that while Ukraine awaits the AGM-158, the US Marine Corps has just received such missiles, which were finally integrated into the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft of the American Marines.
