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US approves sale package of $686 million for Pakistan's F-16 fleet, aims to support its national security objectives
The United States has approved a $686 million sale of defense goods and services to Pakistan for its F-16 fighter jet fleet. This deal aims to enhance Pakistan's interoperability with US and partner forces for counterterrorism and contingency operations. The sale includes equipment for modernization and refurbishment, extending the aircraft's life and addressing flight safety concerns.
The United States (US) has approved the sale of defence goods and services worth $686 million to Pakistan for its F-16 fighter jet fleet in order to support its national security objectives. This involves defence equipment worth $37 million, along with $649 million worth of other equipment such as identification systems, secure communication devices, navigation tools, software upgrades, mission-planning systems, missile adaptor units, and various electronic security modules.
The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress about the defence deal with Pakistan in a letter sent on December 8, kicking off a 30-day review period.
As per the official statement, the defence equipment and services sale is "aimed at supporting the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US". The deal allows Pakistan to retain interoperability with U.S. and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and in preparation for future contingency operations.
The defence equipment deal includes 92 Link-16 systems and 6 Mk-82 inert 500-lb general purpose bombs.
The proposed sale is meant to maintain Pakistan's capability to meet current and future threats by updating and refurbishing its Block-52 and Mid Life Upgrade F-16 fleet. "These updates will provide more seamless integration and interoperability between the Pakistan Air Force and the U.S. Air Force in combat operations, exercises, and training, and refurbishment will extend the aircraft life through 2040 while addressing critical flight safety concerns," the statement said.
As per the Congress document, Pakistan has shown a commitment to maintaining its military forces and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.
The agreement is made under F-16 Cryptographic Mandate Compliance and Service Life Extension Program between the two countries. The notification requires approval/rejection within 30 days, else will be deemed approved. Lockheed Martin Company is acting as the key contractor in the deal.
US–Pak defence move raises India's concerns
On Wednesday, an official highlighted Washington's renewed engagement with Pakistan's military leadership as a key challenge to India-US relations.Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America, said, "The second challenge in India relates to the United States' renewed engagement with Pakistan's military leadership. Pakistan has a long and well-documented history of using non-state terrorist proxies against India. As a result, over many years, India's experience is that third-party mediation has often contributed to Pakistan's adventurism. So the United States has pursued a policy of de-hyphenation between India and Pakistan, engaging with both but minimising involvement in their disputes. There remains considerable progress for future collaboration should differences over trade and Pakistan be successfully managed between the United States and India..."
Also read: US engagement with Pakistan's military leadership is a challenge: Dhruva Jaishankar flags key issues in India-US ties
$686 million defence deal: Not the first engagement
The $686 million defence deal is not the first US-Pakistan engagement, as both the countries have been connected at various levels of manufacturing and industrial support as well. On Wednesday, the world's largest economy announced a significant investment aimed at boosting mining activity in Pakistan's Balochistan province, with the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) approving $1.25 billion in financing to support the development of the Reko Diq critical minerals project.Sharing the announcement on X, Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Islamabad, Natalie A. Baker said that the US administration has made such deals central to American diplomacy.
"I'm pleased to highlight that the US Export-Import Bank recently approved financing of USD 1.25 billion to support the mining of critical minerals at Reko Diq in Pakistan," said Natalie Baker, adding that EXIM's financing, over the coming years, will enable "up to $2 billion in high-quality US mining equipment and services needed to build and operate the Reko Diq mine, along with creating an estimated 6,000 jobs in the US and 7,500 jobs in Balochistan, Pakistan."
Calling Reko Diq a model for mining projects, Baker said the project will benefit "US exporters, as well as local Pakistani communities and partners, by bringing employment and prosperity to both our nations." She further underlined that "the Trump administration has made the forging of deals exactly like this one central to American diplomacy."
The two countries are looking forward to see further agreements in the critical minerals and mining sector.
The US Embassy in Islamabad also released a brief message on X, noting that the fresh commitment "will drive economic growth in Balochistan."
"With a new commitment of USD 1.25 billion in EXIM Bank financing, the US-Pakistan partnership will drive economic growth in Balochistan," the Embassy wrote, urging viewers to watch Baker's message describing the project as a "game-changer for US businesses and local Pakistani communities."
How it all started?
In July this year, US President Donald Trump announced a separate trade initiative with Pakistan focusing on the development of the country's oil reserves. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves. We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership. Who knows, maybe they'll be selling Oil to India someday!"To access the notification,click here
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Source: EconomicTimes
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