U.S. Approves Sale Of F-16 Fighter Jets To Pakistan

A Taiwan Air Force U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet gets washed after a drill at the Chiayi Air Force base, southern Taiwan, January 26, 2016. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang

Reuters: U.S. OKs sale of 8 Lockheed F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan - Pentagon

The U.S. government said on Friday it had approved the sale to Pakistan of up to eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radar and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales, said it had notified lawmakers about the possible deal.

The agency said the F-16s would allow Pakistan's Air Force to operate in all-weather environments and at night, while improving its self-defense capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare since deals are well-vetted before any formal notification.

Read more ....

Update: Washington OKs Controversial F-16 Sale to Pakistan (Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One).

WNU Editor: I doubt that these jets will be used against the Taliban and/or  against their allies on the border of Afghanistan. These jets will be used to counter India's air superiority.

Update #2: India is outraged with this sale .... US envoy summoned: India outraged at sale of F-16 jets to Pakistan (Express Tribune).