Why the U.S. Just Approved a $686M F-16 Upgrade for Pakistan Plus Pro

On 08 December, the U.S. Department of State cleared and submitted a proposal to Congress for the supply of defence articles valued at USD $686 million for the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) F-16 fleet.

The proposed package consists of 92 Link-16 tactical data-link (TDL) systems, six inert Mk82 general purpose bomb (GPB) bodies (used for training purposes), AN/APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) systems, KY-58M and KIV-78 cryptographic appliques, AN/APQ -10C Simple Key Loaders, ADU-891 missile adaptor units, and various other “weapons integration, test, and support equipment.”

Of the total $686 million, about $37 million will go toward the purchase of Major Defence Equipment (MDE), while the remainder, $649 million, will cover non-MDE items such as support and training.

According to the State Department’s submission to Congress, the deal will “extend the aircraft life [of the PAF’s F-16 fleet] through 2040 while addressing critical flight safety concerns.” The proposal also highlights that the update will continue enabling the PAF’s F-16s to interoperate with U.S. Air Force and other coalition fighters in combat operations, exercises, and training.

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The proposal represents the first – albeit modest – genuine capability upgrade for the Pakistani F-16 fleet since the completion of the Peace Drive program, which saw the PAF induct 18 new-build Block-52 aircraft and upgrade its approximately 45 F-16A/B Block-15s.