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The Biden administration has approved a USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to assist Pakistan in addressing present and potential counterterrorism threats. This is the first significant security support from Washington to Islamabad in four years. For failing to repress the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network terror groups and destroy their safe havens in the nation, Donald Trump, Biden’s predecessor, withheld nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Islamabad in 2018.
The State Department said in a notification to the US Congress on Wednesday that it has approved a possible foreign military sale of F-16 cases for sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 450 million, arguing that this will maintain Islamabad’s capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by retaining its F-16 fleet.
The larger bilateral relationship between the US and Pakistan includes an important role for Pakistan’s F-16 programme. Pakistan may respond to present and foreseeable counterterrorism threats by maintaining its F-16 force. With its F-16 force, Pakistan can support counterterrorism operations, and we anticipate further action from Pakistan against all terrorist organisations, the statement said.
The proposed sale, according to the Congressional notification, does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions. According to the statement, Pakistan has requested that prior F-16 sustainment and support cases be consolidated in order to support the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fleet by reducing duplicate case activities and adding additional continued support elements.
Participation in the USD 450 million foreign military sale to Pakistan of the F-16 Aircraft Structural Integrity Program, Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program, International Engine Management Program, Engine Component Improvement Program, and other Technical Coordination Groups; modifications and support for the hardware and software of the aircraft and the engines, as well as spare parts for the aircraft and the engines for repair and return.
According to the Pentagon, the proposed sale will serve US foreign policy and national security objectives by allowing Pakistan to continue cooperating with US and allied troops in on-going counterterrorism operations and in being ready for potential contingency operations in the future. The planned sale, according to the Pentagon, “would boost Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, which considerably increases Pakistan’s capacity to support counterterrorism operations through its formidable air-to-ground capability.” The statement claims that “these products and services will be easy to incorporate with Pakistan’s military forces.” The proposed sale of this weaponry and assistance, according to the Congressional notification, won’t have an effect on the region’s core military balance.
