The U.S. State Department Approves Maintenance Package for Pakistan’s F-16s
On 07 September 2022, the U.S. State Department greenlit a $450 million U.S. sustainment package for the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) F-16 fleet.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) press release, the package is more of a “consolidation” of previous F-16 support programs (similar to a $125 million U.S. program in 2019).
Instead of releasing multiple smaller programs, the Government of Pakistan and U.S. State Department decided to consolidate the upcoming sustainment contracts into one package.
Thus, the now consolidated F-16 support program covers many areas, including structural integrity work, support of electronic subsystems, engine repair support, ground support equipment (GSE) calibration and assistance, technical documentation support, and other lines of work.
This package does not involve any net-new aircraft, equipment, or capability additions. It is not an upgrade package, nor a follow-on acquisition program. Simply, this program is an amalgamation of existing and/or upcoming contracts for sustaining the PAF’s existing fleet of 75-odd F-16C/D Block-52+, F-16A/B Block-15 Mid-Life Update (MLU), and Block-15 Air Defence Fighter (ADF) aircraft.
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