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Pakistan is looking to get another 10 new-built F-16s
13 March 2016
By Bilal Khan
A Pakistani official told IHS Jane’s that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will pursue another 10 F-16C/D Block-52 from the U.S. This will be in addition to the eight the PAF has recently requested.
The official could not reveal as to when this subsequent order will take place, but if it comes to fruition, it would bring the PAF’s F-16C/D Block-52 fleet to 36 aircraft.
In 2006-2007 the PAF had requested for a total of 36 F-16 Block-52 from the U.S., but in two orders of 18 aircraft each. The first order was finalized (and delivered), but the second order – an option – was not exercised due to severe funding shortages at the time.
While Pakistan funded its previous order of F-16C/Ds through its own national funds, it is hoping that its current request for eight aircraft will be partly subsidized through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program.
While the request for F-16s has passed, the FMF component has run into some hurdles in Congress, with the U.S. Senate placing a hold on it until it can verify Pakistan’s commitment against specific Taliban cells, such as the so-called Haqqani-network.
Sartaj Aziz, an advisor at the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told journalists (subscription required to access) in the beginning of March that Pakistan had saved money from previous FMF releases (since 2013), which it plans to use to fund its current F-16 order. Pakistan has not disclosed how it intends to fund its next batch of 10 new-built F-16s.
Prior to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the PAF had intended to acquire 55 F-16 Block-52s (with an option for an additional 20). It is possible that the PAF is looking to reach the original base goal of 55 F-16C/Ds. This could potentially be done through a number of incremental purchases over the next several years. Used fighters may also be pursued.
There are other questions as well.
First, the question of whether (and when) the PAF intends to push its F-16 Block-52s through a comprehensive upgrade, one that ought to include an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar. Second, whether the PAF is interested in acquiring additional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions for its F-16s, such as the AIM-9X, AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, and Harpoon Block-II anti-ship missile.
30 Comments
by zach amin
Some congressmen and Senators of US Gov are in state of hallucination that Pakistan will start a new war against a Taliban faction which never had any ill intentions toward Pakistan. In fact they are fighting against TTP the Endian/Afghan sponsored terrorists and ISIS and protecting Pakistani borders. Pakistanis certainly won’t throw away everything for 10 F16s 🙂
by Ashi Sidhu
Wrong priority
First after so much hype India and senator Rand Paul and others created about 8 F 16s it will take lot of time before US again sell something to Pakistan and that too block 52.
Secondly Pakistan now needs block 60 to match Indian AESA Equipped rafale, tejas and others and S 400 . all this is coming from 2019
How will Pakistan then pay for jf-17, j-31 to get fifth gen plane and how will it get away US influence.
looks like lack of money is now pushing pak towards more US slavery
by Ashi Sidhu
Trade deficit has ballooned to $15 bn and state of pak economy means there is no choice but US slavery
by John Rue
with no cash in the pocket. Pakistan will accept anything it gets. US is the only country who provides soft financial package. Russians couldn’t get financing for Mi-35 choppers , i doubt they will get them for anything else. I would not count on getting 10 more block 52s.
by jigsaww
So if i get this right, Pakistan needs to counter something in indian inventory that is arriving for last 10 years and still is nowhere to be found existing, and looks like it just might never happen anytime soon either.
I think Pakistan’s greatest challenge is how to cope with delusional and fantastical indians minds, because I’m sure everything else at capability level is being taken care of.
by MT
india shall threaten and warn USA of serious repercussions if it continue to aid pakistan with free f16 .
Pakistan has been duplicitous ally which have supported armed and provided all kinds of military &;tactical support to taliban, lashkar, jaish.
we have no problems in pak buying these weapons but America aid of such weapons make US an enemy state of india
by Ashi Sidhu
Your biggest threat is S 400 which will be coming from 2019 as right now russia and then china will be getting it then india
It can even shoot down planes in highly jammed EW environment that too stealth jets and has max range of 400 km
Brace Yourselves !!
by Ashi Sidhu
Certainly one thing is clear it will be very difficult for US but depends on who is becomes president
Donald trump looks best for dealing with Pakistan
by jigsaww
Sure boy. No problem. You are welcome to acquire whatever you like. You will not find Pakistan going into any mental disorder over any indian acquisitions. India are an enemy and enemies have right for their protection from whatever they feel threatened. That is the kind of philosophy Pakistan lives with.
The question is, will you indians be able to digest these 10 new F-16s, possibly later to be upgraded with AESA and other goodies along with older F-16s? I guess not judging from the national nervous break down over 8 F-16s.
Oh and brace yourself for an upgraded version of HQ9 in case S400 really finds its way in IAF. You know that is why China is being treated as priority customer on S400 sale. Eventually Pakistan will ensure a tit for tat area denial to IAF in similar manner with HQ10 or similar platform. Though i think your 2019 deadline for S400 and all is a bit too optimistic, but hey, there’s no harm in fantasising right?
Also, you religious belief in S400 being some ultimate weapon is kinda misfounded. First off, it CAN be deceived, otherwise there really wasn’t any need to create S500 for russia. To put it in your own medicine. Israel has been experimenting with that in Syria. Second off, S400 CAN NOT see over the horizon for its current radar tech, but i give you that in india-pak scenario that will not be a problem for indians because of geo closeness. However, it’s kinda fuzzy if or not it can successfully target stealth tech. It’s not a battle tested platform, so you never know for sure, though it will be a potent weapon against aircrafts. However, the response will be emphasis on STOW system which will test S400 beyond its limits, you see. I see in first 72 hours systems like S400 being taken out by better hypersonic STOWs. Don’t expect F-16s coming right away.
by jigsaww
If you understand trump’s agenda, his focus is on cleansing US from two major infestations, mexicans (that’s not an infestation to me) and indians (this one is), besides a total ban on muslims (which is not going to take effect we all know). He is on record saying that. India should expect major changes in getting indians kicked out of US in large swarms, and i don’t think US is a country where threats and blackmail work (actually indians threats and blackmail don’t work anywhere). You can try.
Pakistan has never and will never work with US gov directly when it comes to US military policy. It’s basically pentagon that drives that policy and gov really has to say yes. You’ll see that becoming obvious once again. Trump will not be able to bring major changes to existing US pak relationship. An Ex US military commander is on record saying that US military will decline to taking certain orders from trump if he harps on his agenda.
Though there is every chance that hillary clinton will become next president which will really be a an extension of current policies. no difference.
by MT
Pentagon is enemy of india.
we need to ask them directly if they fund pak military then we must break all cords with American military esp navy who wants us to support them in south china sea
by Sami Shahid
If USA will not provide….Pakistan has other options as well.
by jigsaww
Lol. Hell yeah. Troll pentagon now.
by jigsaww
Dont forget to issue nuclear strike threat to usa if that doesn’t work. Lol
by jigsaww
Perhaps you could teach us how to fake GDP figures in order to remove that deficit.
by MT
=>India will work with Iran, libya & We will ally with north korea who needs new partner after being dumped by china!
In matter of 5 years, india will achieve self sufficiency in radar, electronic warfare, AESA Fire control technology, SAR satellites–
The current CAG Report depict radar import content to be somewhere between 5-10 % while most of seeker is imported! India makes RLG INS, FOG INS for navigation and guidance but we are limited by scale of production and WE use local 180 NM local fab for fabricating some of critical chips!
India’s 1 billion $ seeker fab for AESA & MWIR IIR seeker fabs will come up 2019 which will make us self reliable in 30 mm AESA chips ,FLIR technology, MWIC FPA sensor for E/O system needed for IRST technology; IIR Seekers, Quick range SAM!
Tata aerospace is already making Radome components, refuelling probe for tejas,cohalm PLC UK & boeing!
Tata advanced materials, Larsen & Tubro are going to go hugh with radar, litening pod, seeker, E/O, electronic warfare by turn of this decade!
WE have already starting making 10000 T/R modules AESA long range radars that can track 10-20 thirty mm object in range of 800 KM!
ISRO made that radar at cost of 35 mill$ which cost 200 mill$ in market!
DRDO 240-300 Degree AWACS with indigenous radar uses 8200 T/R modules designed, developed by an Indian company–All Indian military chips for radars with Indian IP design are fabricated in Malaysia as part of long term contract
By 2020; India would have upped R&D budget from 1 % in 2016 to 2 % of its GDP!
India can aid north korea & start a new proactive apporach!
North korea may have spplied liquid fuel missile /ghauri/nodong to Pak in past but we can forgive them & restart our relationship-
India need to speed on SSBN & hurry with SSN program!
Arihant is only operational at end of this month with Short range SLBM- K15 which has range of 700-1500 KM depending on payload
K-4 missile to range of 3500 KM was tested last week from pontoon- The INS arihandam whose 100 MW reactor( improved from 83 MW of arihant) has undergone outfitting last year, will be released this year end for sea trials!
Third SSBN is finished with hull fabrication!! Fourth SSBN will begin hull fabrication once INS arindham is released from dock yard!
India will have 3 SSBN by year 2020, 4th SSBN by 2022!
India would start working on 1 SSN once 1st 2 SSBN are operational after 2018!
There are 4 vishakapathnam class destroyer to be built before 2024! The 1st one is to be commissioned in 2018–
3 Kolkata class destroyer were commissioned in last 10 years.
4 Kamorta class frigates built in last 10 yrs!! Another 7 kamorta modified frigates ordered at cost of 1.6 bill$
Second 45000 tonnage INS vikrant class Air craft carrier will begin development from 2018 as we cant afford to pay 15-20 bill$ for american yanks EMALS nuclear propulsion technology!–
India navy which is 70-75% indigenous is targeting 90% indigenous content by 2020!
Lets hope that IAF which is barely 30-35 % indigenous can learn from Indian navy which owns the designs of all DRDO Naval IPR technology &
have good partnership with pvt sector companies such as L&T, Mahindra, Tata advanced systems including 1000 middle tier and MSME component providers
Indian anti radiation missile with range of 100 KM will being testing this april–The missile is reported to be 90+% indigenous–It uses Indian dual pusle solid rocket engine which was made by DRDO for Barak-8( Israel provided seeker, guidance, control system, Software based radar, Elta AESA Radar )–Dont expect that Israel will part with any technology
by Faizi Hassaan
Support to Taliban? Than who killed 55 thousand Pakistanis in War on terror?
by Faizi Hassaan
India on one hand making hue and cry against terrorism and on the other hand fanning terrorism in Afghanistan, Pakistan and even helping ISIS. Pakistan have not used these F16s against India. They have used them against Taliban but India showing serious reservation on a weapon which is being used against terrorists so you can well imagine why they are trying to block the deal.
by SP
Still trying to buy a plane that first flew 42 years ago and of a variant that is 25 years old. PAF leadership needs to think outside the box instead of being sentimental.
by MT
Bad taliban killed you bcoz they wanted to have shariah while you all used good taliban to kill million afghani
by Muhammad Shahid
Hahahaha….hahahahaha……….This MT stuff is really a psycho case. Hey man/women or whatever,….u seriously have a mental disorder…..contact nearest doctor of your slum.
by jigsaww
Hope it helped with your catharsis.
by DirtyMindIndians
95% Indians are dirty insects full with dirty garbage, dirty mentality. negative thinkers negative nation.
by Qasim57
I think F-16s are the right priority for Pakistan. Despite India’s indigenous defence sector not delivering projects the Indian Airforce can use just yet — India has turned to the global defence markets and become the leading “arms importer” in the world.
Pakistan feels the need to allay any day-dreaming on India’s part. The infrastructure to maintain and fly the latest Block-52 F-16s is already in place, with 18 new Block-52s and the older F-16s already upgraded via OCU to the latest standards. Already border incursions and incidents rose substantially, after Pak re-deployed forces from the Indian border to the Afghan side.
An escalation between nuclear-armed neighbors is in no-one’s favor.
by zach amin
ha ha ha
by zach amin
Donald Trump will bring jobs back from India and will deport majority of Indians with fake degrees and fake credentials back to India 🙂
by zach amin
Plus US won’t dump 60 years of Bilateral relations with Pakistan for Indians 🙂
by Guest
@Quwa: Does Pakistan already use Harpoon Block II on its P3Cs? and how capable are F16 ADFs? can they equipped with AMRAAMs, LGBs and PGBs?
by zach amin
I guess you don’t know anything about F16 Block D. 🙂
by zach amin
ha ha ha