Forum: F-16 News

This is a discussion topic for the F-16.net news article: "U.S. to ship initial batch of two F-16s to Pakistan". You can read the full forum discussion in the F-16.net forum.

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Do any of the US based members know whether these jets will come from AMARC or from surplus stocks that are being withdrawn slowly?

What is the block? Are they the MLU ones for PAF to have a practical look, or are they only to push Indians to decide about 126 jets in favour of American defence industry?

Seems to be a teaser move. Sort of like movie trailers.

The fact being that until deliveries take full swing ITs no biggie. Anyone here that has any clue of the exact specifications of these two jets? My guess would be the ones that were given for aggressor training.

Probably those ex Paf block 15 planes. There are reports that it is the same block as PAF already operates so no MLU or newer block.

My guess is they're old ADF A-models. I don't think the government would take planes away from our aggressor squadrons

Last edited by mnier on Aug 04, 2005 - 08:30 PM; edited 1 time in total

They are ex-aggressor (ex-PAF) block 15 F-16Bs. Some ex PAF f16's are used as chase plane.

Quote:

ISLAMABAD, Aug 1: Pakistan on Monday declared that under the new deal being worked out with the Bush Administration it would be getting the largest supply ever of F-16 fighter jets from the United States. Foreign office spokesman Naeem Khan said this at his weekly briefing while answering questions about the sale of F-16 planes to Pakistan.

Asked if the government was disappointed at the Bush Administration’s decision to provide only two F-16 jets to Pakistan at this stage, he said: “No we are not disappointed. We are getting two F-16s as a first step but Pakistan’s request is there with the American side for additional supply of F-16s.” In reply to a related question, he said: “Please understand these aircraft are just the beginning and this does not in any way mean that Pakistan is being looked down upon or there is something wrong with the relationship.”

He then said that the process was on for the ‘largest supply of F-16s’ to Pakistan and added: “When this process will be completed everybody would know that the number (of F-16s) is quite large.” Mr Khan emphasized that Pakistan had a strategic relationship with US which recognized it as a key partner. “We have a strategic relationship of our own with the United States, a relationship which is multi-faceted.”

I also heard that they will be F-16A block 15s

Ex PAF aircraft were manufactured to Block-15 MLU standard.

mnier wrote:

They are ex-NAVY (ex-PAF) block 15 F-16Bs.

I work out and NSAWC where these planes are used as aggressors, they are not coming from the NAVY.

Peter

Quote:

Ex PAF aircraft were manufactured to Block-15 MLU standard

These birds were not MLU, as the MLU update came way after the old embargoed block 15`s were retained in the US. The Vipers that was embargoed was Block 15 OCU, and should not in any way be mixed up with any Vipers upgraded to MLU standards. I also agree that I also find it strange that they would take aircraft away from active duty units in order to supply Pakistan. My guess is that these are Vipers from AMARC.

As for the new order, I`ve seen somewhere that these are to be F-16C Block 52`s, but you never know.

There goes the Peace. Just Kidding..

Quote:

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Pakistan will get two used F-16 fighter jets from the U.S. as a symbol of the friendly relationship between the two countries, a U.S. State Department official said Wednesday.

Pakistan defense officials announced the pending deal over the weekend. The two fighters are in addition to sales of new F-16s that Pakistan is seeking and the U.S. has said it will allow.

The two used F-16s are no longer needed by the U.S. Air Force, the State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The aircraft were made in the early '80s, similar to about 40 aircraft that Pakistan bought then.

The two fighters giving to Pakistan is of block 15. They are not of MLU standard. They are the older version of 1980 and they are not in a service of the US air force.