The United States will soon deliver 10 refurbished F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, including four aircraft to be supplied this month. The US Congress on Wednesday notified the delivery of the F-16 jets to Pakistan. The aircraft are part of a batch of 12 refurbished jets that Pakistan is getting from the US, and two F-16s have already been delivered.
It is reported that Pakistan will receive eight jets over two months – four each in June and July this year – while the remaining two F-16s will be delivered subsequently. The jets are being supplied to Pakistan for its role as a "major non-NATO ally of the US" and the move reflects the close defence relations between the two countries.
Pakistan signed a separate agreement with the US in 2006 for purchasing 18 new F-16 jets and associated weapon systems. The country had originally planned to buy 36 fighters but halved its order due to a financial crunch.
The Pakistan Air Force also has plans to replace its ageing F-7, Mirage III and Q-5 jets with the JF-17, which the country has jointly developed with China. The two countries began production of the JF-17 in January and eight jets are expected to be inducted by the PAF by the year-end.