Some F-16s already delivered to Pakistan

According to Pakistani foreign minister, currently visiting US, they have already got an unspecified number of F-16s. It was reported on this link on 22nd June 2007 http://dawn.com/2007/06/22/top6.htm

Any body know how many? And from which source?

Obviously they would have been from the older versions not the new ones. Their new ones are projected to be delivered starting from 2009. A few months back they got 2 refurbished ones.

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Also see the F-16.net article: <a href="news_article2419.html">US starts delivery of F-16s to Pakistan</a>

Hello Shimud,

Two F-16s were delivered in 2005 to the PAF from the US free of charge. These two planes belong to the original batch build for the PAF, but stored for years due to the sanctions over the Pakistani nuclear program.

The remaining F-16s build for the PAF - now serving test and aggressor units in the USAF and USN - are to be returned to Pakistan in the coming years along with the deal for new build Block-52+ aircraft. The F-16A/B models will be MLU modified under an agreement with the Pakistani Aircraft Complex in Kamra.

Greetings,

Henrik.

Henrik, i knew about the two delivered in 2005. my intention was to know about the any current deliveries because before i didn't see any report on any forum or website regarding current deliveries as said by their foreign minister.

you said that they will get their stuff back built in early 90's and currently used by test and aggressor units in USAF and USN. my query is that while serving in test and aggressor units they must have been sustaining more structural fatigue and will be touching the limits of their performance hence completing their lifespan in a shorter time as compared to the machines serving in regular squadrons. is there any program to upgrade the structural strength of these aircrafts to minimaze or eliminate the effects of structural fatigue and damage. does MLU accomplish this task too?

Shimud, OK - sorry buddy for posting "old" news !! I do not think that any others have been delivered so far, but to my knowledge all original build F-16s for the PAF are to be returned!!

You are right about the increased stress on the airframe regarding aggressor work. But You might remember that the USN that operates some of these F-16s as aggressors have flown a short period of time of only a few years and the individual airframes were brand new when they entered service.

The Edwards based test/chase planes have even fewer flight hours and are not structurally stressed in the same matter than the aggressors!!

So - yes they are used airframes by now. But in comparison to other airframes - the AMARG stored one for example - these planes are virtually brand new.

No, the MLU modification does not offer any structural replacements as such. There is, however, some programs in conjunction with the MLU that serves the airframe. Falcon STAR (Structural Argumentation Program) is one such modification. The European MLU aircraft along with many Block-25/30/32s in the USAF can be recognized by several "scab" plates on the fuselage witnessing a structural upgrade program.

I, however, suspect that these originally PAF build airframes have internal structure strengtheners like the Block-50/52 series, as they too were build in the early 1990s - at the same time as the majority of the Block-50/52s.

Block-40 export versions for Egypt and Bahrain have this very same internal strengthening.

Hope it helps.

Many greetings,

Henrik.

its alright Henrik and thanks for the information you have provided. while you talk about the Pakistani birds stored at AMARG, another query cropped up regarding the MTBO of their engines. they used to have their engines ran after a specific time and hence, interestingly, their engines and structure have different service hours. have they completed their MTBO while at the yard and while flying with USN and USAF and would there be any modifications, upgrades, overhaules for these engines. they have PW engines in their earlier 40 birds and i think even for the later order of 71 aircrafts. are they sticking to it for future 18 (or 36) block 50/52 aircrafts or switching to GE.

best regards

Shimud,

Yes, the new Block-52+s for the PAF will have the P&W F100-229 engines. I am not familiar with the MTBO cycle of the earlier P&W F100-220Es of the earlier, now US operated Vipers!!

I would, however, strongly believe that airframes and engines have been serviced as expected in the USN and USAF. I do not believe that these -220Es have been modified other than "returned to flying condition"!!

Greetings,

Henrik.

Hi,

Two more F-16s were delivered yesterday to Sargodha airbase via Lajes.

Hope this helps,


RH.

Seems like from this picture it was two 'B' models that were delivered on the 10th. Anyone got the serials for the 2 jets?

Read latest article on deliveries US starts delivery of F-16s to Pakistan

the aircraft parked second from right bears the number 616 on its radome and according to serial numbers database on this site it should have serial number 92616.

It's too bad the U.S. is gutting it's fleet of Vipers. I for sure would love to maintain virtually brand new jets. Way too many politics involved.

616 is the Pakistani tail number. US version tail number is 90-0948 B model. It was flown by LMAero.

The PAF Air Chief said that the first 6 F-16s will be given their MLU in the U.S; is it possible that the first batch of MLU will come from the USAF or possibly USN batch? These aircraft are still in the U.S, and to Pakistan it'd be 'easier' to upgrade the aircraft already there.

is it possible that the first batch of MLU will come from the USAF or possibly USN batch?

Faisal, How I read it is that the 6 MLUs that will occur in the US will be from the batch taken from the USAF.

What will the USN fly when the Pakistani F-16's are gone???

Coronet, thanks for posting this great news.

Shimud identified one of the aircraft as 92-616. In the original order this was FMS serial 90-0951.

John Doe claims this was 90-0948. According to my records that Viper was assigned Pakistani serial 91-613.

Have the tie-ups between US and Pakistani serial changed?
Comments are very welcome.

BTW Sarghoda AB is called Mushaf nowadays.

Greetings,
Jurgen