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White House will keep pushing subsidized F-16s for Pakistan
Dawn News was able to get in touch with a number of Washington-based analysts who believed that the U.S. government will continue pushing for subsidy support for Pakistan’s F-16 purchase.
In particular, the White House was adverse of Congress’ recommendation of conditioning the provision of military aid to Pakistan – with further focus on the so-called Haqqani Network being central.
On a number of occasions, the Pakistani government expressed its discontent with Congress’ decision, citing that it would pursue alternatives should Foreign Military Financing (FMF) support not be available.
According to Dawn, these analysts believe FMF support will be approved by July.
Comment and Analysis
Last week, we argued that the current F-16 deal was not dead. Although a miniscule deal on the surface (i.e. for eight aircraft with aging radar and avionics), the F-16 is a pivotal U.S. foreign policy tool in securing and maintaining its interests in Pakistan.
In fact, the White House even issued a statement in response to Congress’ calls for adding sharper strings to the military aid provided to Pakistan – Congress’ demands would “unnecessarily complicate progress” in ties between the two countries.
As discussed before, there are positives and negatives to acquiring new F-16s, especially if FMF is involved. On the one hand, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has the infrastructure to readily embrace new fighters, thus additional maintenance and training costs would be minimal. It is also a mature platform. On the other hand, the PAF cannot equip and upgrade the F-16s according to its will, not without U.S. approval.
15 Comments
by Abdul Rashid
Now THIS is what I call cooking-on-gas news! (or cooking “with” gas for those who prefer the N. American misuse of the English language).
As someone said on another thread recently, “There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip,”. Pakistan might yet get the F16s with FMF support.
by U
This is crap. I actually was kinda happy with the US not selling a generation old F16s to Pakistan that too with out the latest arsenal, undermining their real capability. This was good for Pakistan’s future, a blessing in disguise.
F16s now are only good if they are of the V standard AND are equipped with Aim9x, AMRAAM C7 or D and AGM88 E.
by Sami Shahid
seems like Americans want the PAKISTANI military to operate in Afghanistan….because the Haqqani network is in the roots of Afghanistan !
by Abdul Rashid
I remember when the article about FMF refusal was posted on Quwa the reaction was largely, “Ameen” but there are so many arguing the case for continuing with the F16s for now (however long the “now” is!). As in this article, there is a case to be made for PAF’s familiarity with the platform, others say it is simply an on-going love affair.
Do you want PAF not to pursue new F16s even with FMF support? I’m surprised Jigsaww is quiet. He normally has something to say on PAF procurement plans.
by Bilal Khan - Quwa
Just discussing the news as it is 😉
My views were articulated in the opinion piece.
by Abdul Rashid
You’re the man, Bilal. You’re the man!
by jigsaww
Hi,
The deal has become more of a zombie. Somewhere between dead and alive.
I think everyone agrees that PAF should go for block 52s with FMF support. It’s just OK. In fact. they’re already pushing for 10 more to be cleared before end of Obama reign since a new deal does not seem likely pretty much ever now and Lockheed is on verge of closing F-16 supply lines. PAF wants the original deal of 18+18 to be completed. So, expect another order of 10 later this year, at least from PAF.
It wouldn’t be logical to get these highly restricted F-16s by paying from Pakistani tax payer money either, someone ought to put that thought in senator bob’s brain. If Pakistan is to pay full amount, then it must be given full authority to modify/upgrade and use these machine as it wills, including the dhoti shaking aka N strike package. Why would Pakistan pay full amount for some restricted machines?
But of course now as it seems, military funding is being restricted also, like i argued before. Once there’s nothing left to arm twist, it will come down to threats of stopping spares. The writing on the wall is, Pakistan and US are not on same page, not on any page and Hindustan will not become the stooge US wants in Asia without having its support ceased for Pakistan. That’s the condition set by Hindustan to US.
We’ll have a result in few days now since Pakistan needs to give its decision in next 3 days whether it will pay full or not, and the consensus in gov/PAF seems to be Pakistan will not. Set backs will come to both US and Pakistan but the onus lies on US.
Either way with or without F-16s, PAF will not stop procuring newer jets/systems. Things will happen, maybe just not as easily as people would want.
by sufi
it was decided long time ago by the powers that be……..no more jigy jigy with US, just a little flirtation and collect as many gifts as you can…..BTW, its a misconception that pakistan has been used by americans reality is other way around……long live pak.
by jigsaww
Well if US being a superpower has been used by a little Pakistan, i think US seriously needs to review its status of superpower genius.
by Salman Khan
Why would you put such an abhorrent claim, when the U.S.-Indian backed TTP and the rest of the militias have wrecked havoc on Pakistan, to the extent that Pakistan is about to announce bankruptcy? Let us not forget the 80,000 people killed by these janwars!!!
by Salman Khan
We got our F-16 Block 52+ aircraft quite some years ago, and they’ve been under heavy pressure in the North/South Waziristan. Don’t you think that America is exhausting our F-16 C/D blocks in a “dance ’til you drop” manner? Also, aren’t our precise munitions been used up? I mean we know that maintenance and repair for these aircraft is as hard as obtaining them. Plus the hurdles they place for acquiring fresh aircraft.
About the expensive precise munitions, I think it really profits them politically and financially that Pakistan is forced to kneel down for getting new munitions, isn’t it?
Our pilots are excellent in flying no doubt, but our planes do have a repair and maintenance lifetime. Plus, our capable F-16 fleet isn’t huge in numbers!! They have to tackle the whole pressure of day/night strikes and bombings.
by Abdul Rashid
The apparently disproportionate reliance on F16 Blk 52s to tackle ragtag Taliban gives me cause for concern. It makes the supposedly fairly large PAF fighter fleet look very small.
by MT
Next yrs are going to see tough economic sanction against pak for harboring taliban terrorist & accepting Jud ;jaish muhammad as state sponsored group
by Abdul Rashid
I urge everyone to feel free to respond to MT’s opinion but without resorting to inappropriate language. Thanks you.
by sufi
there is a thing called veto….have you heard of it ?
afghan talibans are freedom fighters no terrorists.