The U.S. has approved a $686 million plan to sell advanced F-16 fighter jet equipment to Pakistan.
In a letter to the House of Representatives, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated that the program also includes the sale of cryptographic equipment, training, and logistical support.
The letter said that this decision was made so that Pakistan could operate in coordination with the U.S. and its partners in the ongoing fight against terrorism and potential future contingencies.
The sale of advanced equipment is also intended to upgrade the quality of Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets and address concerns related to operational safety.
The letter noted: “These updates will allow Pakistani and U.S. Air Forces to have greater interoperability and smoother coordination in combat operations, exercises, and training.” This will also extend the lifespan of Pakistan’s F-16 fighters by 25 years.
The U.S. and Pakistan consider each other close partners in the fight against terrorism and have previously collaborated in this area. Both countries have repeatedly emphasized their shared stance against terrorism.
The two had previously stressed the need to formulate an approach to confront terrorist threats from ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) three groups that, according to Islamabad and U.N. experts, are operating in Afghanistan.
The U.S. representative stated at the U.N. Security Council meeting last night that the country’s main priority in Afghanistan remains the protection of U.S. citizens and the nation, which includes mitigating terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan.
The U.S. maintains a cool approach toward the Taliban, and Pakistan is also increasingly frustrated with the group.
U.S. support for Pakistan also comes at a time when India, Pakistan’s main rival, is increasingly leaning toward Russia.
