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

Reversing the choice of its predecessor, the Biden Administration has accredited a whooping $450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan.

As a notification to the US Congress, the State Department has made a dedication approving a attainable international navy sale of F-16 case for sustainment and associated gear for an estimated price of $450 million, arguing that this can maintain Islamabad’s functionality to fulfill present and future counterterrorism threats by sustaining its F-16 fleet, The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this attainable sale on Wednesday.

This is the primary main safety help to Pakistan after Trump in 2018 had introduced to cease all protection and safety help to Pakistan alleging that Islamabad was not a associate in its combat towards 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 stated.

“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 additional stated in response to a query.

According to the Congressional notification, the proposed sale doesn’t embrace any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions.

It stated that Pakistan has requested to consolidate prior F-16 sustainment and help instances to help the Pakistan Air Force F-16 fleet by lowering duplicate case actions and including extra continued help components.

The $450 million international navy sale to Pakistan participation in F-16 Aircraft Structural Integrity Programme, digital fight worldwide safety help programme, worldwide engine administration programme, engine element enchancment programme, and different technical coordination teams; plane and engine {hardware} and software program modifications and help and plane and engine spare restore/return elements.

The Pentagon stated this proposed sale will help the international coverage and nationwide safety goals of the United States by permitting Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and associate 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 stated.

According to the Congressional notification, the proposed sale of this gear and help won’t alter the fundamental navy stability within the area.