US approves possible sale of F-16 equipment

 The Biden administration has approved the attainable sale of F-16 craft upkeep and connected instrumentation to Pakistan for a price of 450 million greenbacks.The deal falls underneath the Foreign Military Sales programme that was suspended by former North American nation president Trump in early 2018. The reversal of the Trump-era call by the Biden administration comes a year when the North American nation has withdrawn its forces from Asian nation and acknowledges Pakistan’s facilitate in evacuating its personnel.

Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet.— Photo: file

A State Department proponent confirmed to The News that the United States has notified Congress of a planned Foreign Military Sales case to sustain the Pakistani Air Force’s F-16 programme.

“Pakistan’s F-16 programme is a very important a part of the broader US-Pakistan bilateral relationship. The planned sale can sustain Pakistan’s capability to fulfill current and future scheme threats by maintaining its F-16 fleet,” the State Department same, adding that the planned sale would guarantee Pakistan retains ability with the North American nation and partner forces.

The North American nation Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the specified certification, notifying Congress of the attainable sale. The notification enlightened the North American nation lawmakers that the State Department has approved the FMS to Pakistan of F-16 case of upkeep associated connected instrumentation for an calculable price of 450 million greenbacks.

Pakistan’s government had requested to consolidate previous F-16 upkeep and support cases to support the Pakistan Air Force F-16 fleet by reducing duplicate case activities and adding further continuing support parts, in keeping with the notification.

However, it clarifies that the planned sale doesn't embrace any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions. Also, that the planned sale of the instrumentation and support won't alter the essential military balance within the region.

The planned sale can continue the upkeep of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, that greatly improves Pakistan’s ability to support scheme operations through its strong air-to-surface capability. “Pakistan can haven't any issue fascinating these articles and services into its soldiers,” it explicit .