The Biden Administration has authorised a USD 450 million F-16 fleet operations and maintenance operation for Pakistan. The Department Of State has determined determination to approve a possible foreign military sale of the F-16 case for sustainment and associated equipment for a cost estimate of USD 450 million, making the argument that this will sustain Islamabad’s functionality to meet present and future combating terrorism threats by supporting its F-16 fleet.
Key takeaways
- A planned international military sale will sustain the Pakistan Air Agency’s F-16 program. The US government informed Congress.
- Pakistan is a network expanding in the fight against terrorism. As a part of a long-term commitment, the US offers lifecycle management and sustainability services for systems with US origins.
First significant assistance to Pakistan since Trump's withdrawal in 2018
This is Pakistan’s first significant security support since President stated in 2018 that he would cease all intelligence and military cooperation with Pakistan, claiming that Islamabad was no longer a participant in the fight against terrorism. “The US Government has alerted Congress of a potential Overseas Military Sales claim to support Pakistan’s F-16 program.” “Pakistan is a vital counterterrorism partner, and the United States supports life cycle servicing and operations and maintenance programs for US-origin equipment as part of the stated tradition,” a State Department spokeswoman said. “Pakistan’s F-16 program is a key part of the larger US-Pakistan bilateral partnership.” Preserving its F-16 aircraft, the order to achieve financial will preserve Pakistan’s capacity to respond to both future and current terrorist threats. The F-16 fleet enables Pakistan to undertake antiterrorism missions, and in answer to a query, the spokesman said, “We expect Pakistan to take continuous action even against terrorist organisations.
What was said by the US
- The Congressional notice states that no new functionality, armaments, or explosives are contained in the deal. It said that Pakistan had proposed combining earlier F-16 operations and maintenance and support cases to serve the F-16 fleet of the Pakistan Air Force by eliminating redundant case operations and including more continuing support components.
- Pakistan’s USD 450 million overseas military sales require engagement in the F-16 Aircraft Spatial Integrity Scheme, the Electronic Battle International Security Assistance Programme, the Worldwide Engine Management Programme, the Engine Component Increase in performance Programme, and other technical coordination organisations; adjustments to the equipment and software of the aeroplanes and engines; assistance for the modifications; and replacement parts for the helicopters and machines that can be repaired or returned.
- According to the Pentagon, this planned sale will help the US realise its foreign policy and domestic security goals by preserving Pakistan’s ability to cooperate with the US and ally personnel in existing terrorist acts and planning upcoming emergency missions.
India's Reaction:
One day after the United States announced a $450 million program to equip Pakistan’s considerable F-16 fighter inventory with the most recent technological advances, the Country remains studiously quiet. The US State Department’s statement happened against the backdrop of holding the position meetings conducted on Sept 7, 2022, between senior officials from India and the United States, including Secretary of State’s Assistant Donald Lu for South and Central Asian Affairs. The External Affairs Ministry has not yet said if Mr Lu and his team notified the Indian perspective of the Biden regime’s declaration that will massively raise the lethality of the Pakistan Air Force, representing the most significant threat to India from the northwest and west.
According to the Biden Presidency, Pakistan will get a $450 million F-16 fleet operations and maintenance project.
The Biden Presidency has granted a massive $ 450 million F-16 fighter jet squadron operations and maintenance plan for Pakistan, reversing the choice made by its predecessor.
As a warning to the U.S. Congress, the Department Of state has approved a potential foreign military sale of F-16 aircraft for support and maintenance and associated equipment for an estimated cost of USD 450 million, arguing that doing so will maintain Islamabad’s F-16 fleet operational and preserve the country’s capability to confront terrorist activity threats in the future and present.
On Wednesday, the Defence Intelligence Sharing Agency sent Lawmakers the correct documentation informing them of this proposed program.
This was Pakistan’s first considerable security assistance since Trump declared in 2018 that he would halt all intelligence and military aid to Islamabad because Islamabad was not a partner in the nation’s fight against terrorism.
A valuable companion in the battle against terrorism
“The U.S. Government has informed Congress of a proposed Foreign Government Services case to support the F-16 program of the Air Force of Pakistan. The United States provides life cycle support and operations and maintenance packages for U.S.-origin equipment as part of a longstanding policy. Pakistan is a crucial terrorism partner, according to a Department Of state spokesman.
The more extensive bilateral partnership between the United States and Pakistan involves an essential role in Pakistan’s F-16 program. By maintaining its F-16 aircraft, the achieve financial will preserve Pakistan’s ability to react to both present and future terrorist threats. The F-16 fleet enables Pakistan to support counterterrorism activities, and in answer to a query, the spokesman said, “We expect Islamabad to take continuous movement against all terrorist organisations.
The Legislative notification states that no new functionality, armaments, or explosives are contained in the proposed sale.
It stated that Pakistan had asked to integrate earlier F-16 maintenance and support cases to help the F-16 fleet of the Pakistan Air Force by eliminating redundant case actions and including more ongoing sustain elements.