WASHINGTON: The US State Department has approved the implicit trade of F-16 aircraft sustainment and affiliated outfit to Pakistan in a deal valued at over to $450 million, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The top contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corp, the DSCA said in a press release.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military trade to the Government of Pakistan of F- 16 Case for Sustainment and affiliated outfit for an estimated cost of $450 million,” the press release stated.
The package includes the US government and contractor engineering, specialized, and logistics services to support Pakistan’s F-16 line, the release said.
The release further said that this trade doesn’t give Pakistan any new capabilities, munitions, or munitions.
The US government’s agency underlined, “This proposed trade will support the foreign policy and public security objects of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with U.S. and mate forces in ongoing counterterrorism sweats and in medication for unborn contingency operations.”
It further said the proposed trade will continue the sustainment of Pakistan’s F-16 line, which greatly improves Pakistan’s capability to support counterterrorism operations through its robust air-to-ground capability. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these papers and services into its fortified forces, it said.
It said the proposed trade of this outfit and support won’t alter the introductory military balance in the region.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed trade, it added.
