ISLAMABAD: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman on Monday said Pakistan is in negotiations with the United States to procure the latest F-16 fighter jets, but did not specify an exact number.

“We are in talks with US defence officials to get some latest F-16s but the deal may take some time,” the Air chief said while talking to reporters after the rolling out ceremony of the 16th JF-17 Thunder aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra.

The Air chief said by the year 2020, Pakistan Air Force will say “goodbye to some of its old fighter jets including the Mirage.”

He expressed satisfaction over the production and quality level of the JF-17 Thunder and said it is at par with the F-16 in terms of performance and operations.