F-16 Fighting Falcon News

June 26, 2008 (by Asif Shamim) - The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of AN/ALQ-211(V)9 AIDEWS Pods as well as associated equipment and services on June 26th.
The principal contractor involved will be ITT Corporation of Clifton, New Jersey. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $75 million.

The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 21 AN/ALQ-211(V)9 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) Pods, software and hardware support with repair and return, support equipment, technical assistance, and relevant technical documentation.

Pakistan intends to purchase the AIDEWS pods to enhance its existing F-16 fighter aircraft. This proposed sale will ensure Pakistan’s existing fleet is compatible with the new F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft and will allow the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) to modernize its fighter inventory, thereby enabling Pakistan to support both its own air defence needs and coalition operations.

Release of the AIDEWS equipment will neither affect the regional balance of power nor introduce better equipment which may be deemed superior to existing technology in the region.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government employees and contractors for technical support, and program management over a period of up to 15 years.