F-16 Fighting Falcon News

December 15, 2010 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Pakistan received the last five F-16s of a batch of 18 ordered from the United States on December 13th.
Pakistan had signed a contract with the US administration in 2006 for 18 F-16 C/D block 52 aircraft.

The arrival of the five jets marked the delivery of all 18 planes by the US, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said.

The jets flew into Shahbaz airbase in Jacobabad city in southern Sindh province, after a stop over at Lajes Field, Azores.

The F-16 C/D Block 52 jets are equipped with a sophisticated avionics suite and latest weapons with night precision attack capability. The jets were acquired by the PAF as part of its bid to modernise and
enhance its air defence capabilities.

This is the fourth batch of new F-16s delivered; the first delivery of three took place June 27. Subsequent deliveries were made on October 30 and November 20.

Additionally, the U.S. is working with the PAF to update 45 F-16s from its existing fighter fleet through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing security assistance program. When the updates are completed, these aircraft will have capabilities similar to those of the new F-16s, including advanced communications and a precision targeting system. The first batch of updated F-16s is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan in early 2012.