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.
In fact, with the PAF now inducting two separate so-called 4+/4.5-generation fighter platforms – i.e., the J-10CE and the JF-17 Block-III – it is unlikely to have enough fiscal resources left for new F-16s, or, for that matter, a significant upgrade of its newer Block-52+. If anything, the PAF’s primary focus would be to keep its existing F-16 fleet running and, potentially, acquire additional used Block-15 or Block-25/32 airframes, as it already has the support infrastructure to maintain those specific variants.
However, in terms of adding net-new air warfare capabilities, the PAF will likely procure more J-10CE and JF-17 Block-IIIs through the 2020s and early 2030s. From that point, the PAF is likely hoping to have access to a next-generation fighter aircraft (NGFA) from the mid-2030s to, ultimately, replace its F-16s.
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