These four F-16s left the U.S. on June 25 to be transfered to Pakistan at the PAF Mushaf Base.
The fighter jets are part of a consignment of 12 refurbished planes that Pakistan would receive from the US. Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, deputy operations chief of the air staff, received the fighting falcons from US Air Force Commander Lt General Gary L North.
These F-16s will have the same capability that Pakistani existing fleet of F-16 has. “With handing over of four more F-16 on June 28, it is hoped that the remaining aircrafts embargoed by the US would also be delivered soon,” an official said.
These aircrafts are part of the 28 F-16 aircrafts that Pakistan ordered in the 1990’s to meet the aerial challenges against the Afghan border during the Soviet Invasion.
“But these aircrafts were used sparingly and not used in a regular manner as the US knew they belonged to Pakistan,” the official further added that the PAF Chief Air Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmad played a key role in getting the aircrafts delivered.
High ranking officials from the both countries were present at the ceremony. Pakistan has also ordered new F-16 Block 52 models from the United States. Pakistan originallly planned to procured 36 of these aircrafts but later revised its decision to 18 aircraft when it faced the earth quake tragedy in 2006.
However, Pakistan plans to spend 1.3 billion dollars on mid-life update and modification of the F-16A/B aircraft, which was purchased earlier. Engine modifications and purchasing some new equipment for the old fleet will cost Pakistan an additional 151 million dollars.
Pakistan has procured these F-16 despite United States being unreliable defense supplier because it believe that the U.S. will not again make the same mistakes that it made earlier when it blocked the F-16 sale. Pakistan also believe that these F-16 will easily integrate into the existing infrastructure and training aspects as Pakistan has already operated the type of the aircraft for well over five decades.
