F-16 Fighting Falcon News

February 15, 2016 (by Asif Shamim) - The State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Pakistan for F-16 block 52 Aircraft, equipment, training, and logistics support. The estimated cost is $699.04 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on February 11, 2016.

The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of:

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

• Eight F-16 block 52 aircraft (two C and six D models), with the F100-PW-229 increased performance engine
• 
  Fourteen Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS)

Non-MDE items included in this request are:

• Eight AN/APG-68(V)9 radars
• Eight ALQ-211(V)9 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS)

Additionally, this possible sale includes spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost of MDE is $564.68 million. The total estimated cost is $699.04 million.

This proposed sale contributes to U.S. foreign policy objectives and national security goals by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner in South Asia.

The proposed sale improves Pakistan's capability to meet current and future security threats. These additional F-16 aircraft will facilitate operations in all-weather, non-daylight environments, provide a self-defense/area suppression capability, and enhance Pakistan’s ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations.

This sale will increase the number of aircraft available to the Pakistan Air Force to sustain operations, meet monthly training requirements, and support transition training for pilots new to the Block-52. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these additional aircraft into its air force.

Contractors have not been selected to support this proposed sale. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.