US approves $450 million F-16 fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan

WolfPack86

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A Congressional notification stated that Pakistan has requested to consolidate prior F-16 sustainment and support cases to support the Pakistan Air Force F-16 fleet by reducing duplicate case activities and adding additional continued support elements.

Reversing the decision of its predecessor, the Biden Administration has approved a whopping USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan.

As a notification to the US Congress, the State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale of F-16 case for sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 450 million, arguing that this will sustain Islamabad's capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining its F-16 fleet.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Wednesday.

First major security assistance to Pakistan after Trump ceased it in 2018

This is the first major security assistance to Pakistan after Trump in 2018 had announced to stop all defense and security assistance to Pakistan alleging that Islamabad was not a partner in its fight against terrorism.

“The United States Government has notified Congress of a proposed Foreign Military Sales case to sustain the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 programme. Pakistan is an important counterterrorism partner, and as part of longstanding policy, the United States provides life cycle maintenance and sustainment packages for US-origin platforms,” a State Department spokesperson said.

Pakistan’s F-16 programme is an important part of the broader United States-Pakistan bilateral relationship. The proposed sale will sustain Pakistan’s capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining its F-16 fleet. The F-16 fleet allows Pakistan to support counterterrorism operations and we expect Pakistan to take sustained action against all terrorist groups,” the spokesperson further said in response to a question.

According to the Congressional notification, the proposed sale does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions.

It said that Pakistan has requested to consolidate prior F-16 sustainment and support cases to support the Pakistan Air Force F-16 fleet by reducing duplicate case activities and adding additional continued support elements.

The USD 450 million foreign military sale to Pakistan participation in F-16 Aircraft Structural Integrity Programme, electronic combat international security assistance programme, international engine management programme, engine component improvement programme, and other technical coordination groups; aircraft and engine hardware and software modifications and support and aircraft and engine spare repair/return parts.

‘Partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts’
The Pentagon said this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and in preparation for future contingency operations.

The proposed sale will continue the sustainment of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, which greatly improves Pakistan’s ability to support counterterrorism operations through its robust air-to-ground capability. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” it said.

According to the Congressional notification, the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
 

Blademaster

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What the fuck does F-16s have to do with counter-terrorism???!!! They don't!!!! They encourage terrorism because it gives Pakistan ability to withstand IAF's counter-strikes.
 
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What the fuck does F-16s have to do with counter-terrorism???!!! They don't!!!! They encourage terrorism because it gives Pakistan ability to withstand IAF's counter-strikes.
Everything Pakis have received last 20 years has been labelled for counterterrorism. Pakis have used F-16 against India when USA had assured that would not happen. US are trying to get into US defense market
while trying to keep Pakis prepared against India. They want their cake and eat it too. Funny how Pakis always get spares. Paki relations with USA are at the same level as US-Israel relations don't be fooled into thinking
anything different.
 

Wisemarko

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According to the Congressional notification, the proposed sale does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions.
Considering the tremendous capability raise associated with F-16V and ability of Lockheed Martin to upgrade all F-16A/B of PAF to F-16V standard, IAF is lucky not to have that headache, yet.
 

Kumaoni

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They even used stinger missiles against India in Kargil. One MiG27 was shot down, and the pilot was tortured. However, IAF made the tactical adjustments and managed to fly for 100 days over the battlefield without incurring a single loss
Everything Pakis have received last 20 years has been labelled for counterterrorism. Pakis have used F-16 against India when USA had assured that would not happen. US are trying to get into US defense market
while trying to keep Pakis prepared against India. They want their cake and eat it too. Funny how Pakis always get spares. Paki relations with USA are at the same level as US-Israel relations don't be fooled into thinking
anything different.
 

Hari Sud

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I would say that General Bajawa, the Pakistani COAS has done three things right to get into the American lap, just before his retirement.

1. He made sure that anti American Imran Khan, the last prime minister is booted out, by engineering a parliamentary coup.

2. He got the remaining Al Qaida leader and America’s enemy….. Zawahiri killed in Afghanistan with an American missile. That pleased America very much

3. As a reward he got $450 million in military aid and approval for $6 billion in IMF loan.

This is a remarkable achievement for General Bajawa. No other General in Pakistani history could do this type of job with finesse of a surgeon, yet nobody behind the scene knew what he is upto. Now he has a red carpet welcome at Pentagon and possible hand shake with the US President.

Other previous generals who also were martial law administrator, used brute force to do anything similar. Take the example of General Musharraf, he undercut the politicians and created trouble, then grabbed political power. Before that other generals who grabbed political power, were either religious fanatics or bad politicians.

Internally with India-Pakistan; … 5 years back, he ended the daily Artillery duals across LOC which achieved nothing.

If given time and another extension then, he probably would have ended religious Jihadism within the Army and ended military support to religious fanatics. All this, he would have done by not grabbing the levers of political power.
 
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They even used stinger missiles against India in Kargil. One MiG27 was shot down, and the pilot was tortured. However, IAF made the tactical adjustments and managed to fly for 100 days over the battlefield without incurring a single loss
when Afghan war against russia was raging , USA gave sniper rifles to Pak. It was an advanced
rifle and beyond any indian capable rifle. I don't think India even said anything???
 

TopWatcher

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when Afghan war against russia was raging , USA gave sniper rifles to Pak. It was an advanced
rifle and beyond any indian capable rifle. I don't think India even said anything???
MEA strong statement hurt many countries. Only inhouse defence development will save us.
 

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