F-16 deal with US under active review

Published November 4, 2005

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: The government is reviewing its F-16 fighter jets deal with the United States in the wake of the growing financial pressure to fund earthquake-related rescue and relief operations, well placed defence and diplomatic sources said.

Pakistan is currently considering two options — either to buy fewer than the originally planned 75 planes or to import a previous version of the aircraft from a European country.

It is believed that Belgium is being looked at as a possible market for purchase of an earlier version of F-16s. A military source indicated that an earlier version of F-16 deal could cost one-sixth of the price that Pakistan has agreed to pay to the US for the state-of-the-art F-16 fighter jets.

A decision may be taken soon to put the American F-16 package on hold.

On Monday, President Gen Pervez Musharraf had indicated Dawn that the deal was being re-examined. The president specifically stated that the government was considering purchase of fewer F-16 fighter jets from the US.

Asked if the government was thinking of deferring procurement of F-16 fighter jets from the US, the president had said: “We will not buy all.” The president, however, did not specify the number.

Pakistan was planning to buy 75 F-16 aircraft from the US and the deal had almost been firmed up shortly before the Oct 8 earthquake that caused massive loss of life and property.

When contacted for comments on the F-16 deal with the US, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said on Thursday: “So far no decision has been taken on this subject,” indicating that a review of available options was still in progress.

The spokesperson had said last week that the procurement of jets from the US was not a priority issue for Pakistan in the wake of devastating earthquake. “This is not an immediate issue for us. We will take a decision at an appropriate time, taking into account all the factors,” she said.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...