U.S. to deliver 3 F-16 aircraft to Pakistan

The United States Air Force is set to deliver the first three of 18 new F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters to the Pakistani Air Force, local media reported Friday.

Three F-16s are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on June 26, with 15 more to be delivered later this year and next, the private TV Express reported, citing U.S. Department of Defense.

This sale of F-16s to Pakistan renews new aircraft sales that existed between the U.S. and Pakistan in the 1980s, but were halted in the 1990s.

The F-16 is a multirole jet fighter sold to 24 countries around the world, according to its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.

The 18 F-16 fighters being sold to Pakistan are the Block 52 versions of the aircraft, which will give Pakistan new capabilities, including day-night, all-weather and precision- attack capabilities.

Pakistan is paying 1.4 billion U.S. dollars for the 18 new aircraft, in addition to 1.3 billion dollars in upgrades to its existing F-16 fleet, which are to begin being delivered in 2012, the report said.

Source: Xinhua