US Moves To Finalise F-16 Deal With Pakistan

The administration also noted that the additional F-16 aircraft would facilitate operations in non-daylight environments and "enhance Pakistan's ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations".

The Obama administration also explained that the sale would increase the number of aircraft available to the Pakistan Air Force to sustain operations, meet monthly training requirements, and support transition training for pilots new to the Block-52, F-16 aircraft.

Implementation of the proposed sale would not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to Pakistan. There would be no adverse impact on US defence readiness either, it said.

The administration also assured Congress that Pakistan "can provide the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the US government".

The 30-day notice period for Congress expires on March 11, after which the deal will be final.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said at a news briefing in Washington earlier this week that Pakistan had initially requested for 18 F-16s, but because of financing problems it was purchasing just eight. He said the F-16s were a critical tool in the war against terrorism.

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