ISLAMABAD – The US has given a go-ahead for the sale of F-16 aircraftsustainment and related equipment to Pakistan in a deal worth $450 million.
The announcement was made by the US State Department on its Twitter handle,approving the first major security assistance for Pakistan since 2018 whenit was ended by former president Donald Trump.
“@StateDept authorizes a Foreign Military Sales #FMS case for #Pakistan forfollow on effort and consolidation of prior F-16 sustainment and supportcases to support the Pakistan Air Force F-16 fleet valued at up to $450million,” the State Department wrote on Twitter.
“Pakistan has requested to consolidate prior F-16 sustainment and supportcases to support the Pakistan Air Force F-16 fleet by reducing duplicatecase activities and adding additional continued support elements,” theSecurity Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense said in itsstatement.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national securityobjectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retaininteroperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorismefforts and in preparation for future contingency operations,” thestatement read.
The proposed sale will continue the sustainment of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet,which greatly improves Pakistan’s ability to support counterterrorismoperations through its robust air-to-ground capability.
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“Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and servicesinto its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support willnot alter the basic military balance in the region,” it said.
Earlier this year, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bajwa said thatPakistan had historically excellent relations with US.
“The good army we have today is largely built and trained by US. The bestequipment we have is American equipment. We still have deep cooperationwith US and our Western friends,” he said in a statement issued by ISPR onApril 5, 2022.
