US Moves To Finalise F-16 Deal With Pakistan

By siliconindia | Monday, 07 March 2016, 04:21 Hrs

ISLAMABAD: The US government has formally notified the intended sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, taking a major step towards finalising the deal, the media reported on Sunday.

"This proposed sale contributes to US foreign policy objectives and national security goals by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner in South Asia," said the notification published in the US Federal Register.

"We are grateful to the US administration and members of Congress for their acknowledgment of Pakistan's decisive actions against extremists and terrorists and of the effective role the F-16a play in our counter-terrorism efforts," Dawn online reported citing Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani as saying.

The notification estimates the total cost of the deal to be nearly $700 million.

However, the Indian government and some US lawmakers have criticised Washington's rationale that such an arms transfer will help combat terrorism. They claim the fighter jets will change the military balance in South Asia and will ultimately be used against India.

In a policy justification, posted on the Federal Register, the US administration rejected this assertion.

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it said, adding that the aircraft would improve "Pakistan's capability to meet current and future security threats".

Source: IANS